The members of the Security Council express their grave concern about the humanitarian impact of the recent heavy fighting in Al-Qusayr.

The members of the Security Council call upon the Syrian Government to allow immediate, safe and unhindered access, in accordance with the United Nations guiding principles of humanitarian assistance, for relevant humanitarian, including UN, actors, to reach civilians in Al-Qusayr, in urgent need of assistance, in particular, medical assistance.

 The members of the Security Council call upon all parties in Syria to do their utmost to protect civilians and avoid civilian casualties, recalling the primary responsibility of the Syrian Government in this regard.  They emphasize that those responsible for violations of applicable international law will be held accountable.

April 24,2013 United Nations Security Council  

As Syria Tragedy Deteriorates, Progress in Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

 Central to Ensuring Region Not Further Destabilized, Security Council Told

Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman Briefs;

Also Hears from Israel, Palestine, Some 44 Speakers in Day-long Debate

As the “grim” tragedy inside Syria continued to deteriorate, it was even more vital that all parties worked collectively to preserve stability in the Middle East, Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, told the Security Council today, stressing that advancing the Israeli-Palestinian peace process was central to ensuring the region did not risk further destabilization.

“There is now an opening to develop a meaningful initiative to achieve the negotiated two-State solution that will best serve the interests, rights and aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians,” he said, briefing the 15-member body on recent developments.  A critical point was approaching for the viability of the peace process.  “Whether that prospect solidifies or vanishes will depend on the direction that leaders on both sides chose to take,” he said, as well as on the level of regional and international support for new efforts.

The choice ultimately rested with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to offer their peoples real prospects for peace and security, he said.  The United Nations stood ready to assist in a return to meaningful negotiations through the Middle East Quartet and broader engagement with all partners.  “We believe that this is a moment of opportunity that cannot afford to be lost,” he asserted.

Outlining recent developments, he said the Secretary-General had met with United States President Barak Obama on 11 April, agreeing there was a window of opportunity to bring Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table and reconfirming the United Nations commitment to support a substantive initiative — with a defined political horizon — to achieve a two-State solution.

Much depended on whether the parties would show the bold leadership needed to create the conditions conducive for resuming a political process, he said, despite the considerable differences between them and the risk that events on the ground could overtake new efforts.  In one encouraging sign, Israel and Palestine had agreed on 23 April to allow an experts mission to visit the Old City of Jerusalem in mid-May.

At the same time, he said the financial viability of the Palestinian Authority was still at risk, with its 2013 budget showing an increased dependence on external aid to cover short-term expenses.  Total spending would hit $3.8 billion, more than half of which was for wages.  In addition, there had been a “considerable” increase in Palestinian casualties, mostly due to clashes with Israeli Security Forces during Palestinian protests that had grown violent.  He welcomed that Samer Issawi had reportedly suspended his hunger strike following a 23 April court ruling allowing him to be freed after serving another eight months.

In addition, he was deeply troubled by continued settlement activity, reiterating the United Nations’ unequivocal position that it violated international law and undermined Palestinians’ confidence in the viability of the two-State solution.  The Secretary-General was worried about reports that Israel had predicted the construction — within a year and a half — of housing units in the E1 area of the West Bank.  In Gaza, the situation had grown more fragile.  The calm following the 21 November 2012 ceasefire had been challenged, with scant progress made on the underlying issues that formed part of that understanding.

As for Palestinian reconciliation, he said Hamas and Fatah had resumed informal meetings, but had not advanced in their discussions.  On 12 April, the Chairman of the Central Election Commission submitted an updated voter register to the Palestinian President, informing him the Commission was ready to organize an election.  Voter registration now included more than 1.8 million electors in the West Bank and Gaza, representing more than 80 per cent of Palestinian adults.

On Syria, he said Lakhdar Brahimi, Joint Special Representative of the United Nations and the League of Arab States, had called for the Council to consider an arms embargo.  The spillover from the Syrian conflict was being felt in Lebanon, where, on 21 April, at least seven rockets from the Syrian side had fallen on Lebanese soil.  President Michel Suleiman had designated TamamSalam as the next Prime Minister on 6 April, following the resignation of Najib Mikati.  He echoed the call to ensure early agreement on the electoral law so that timely parliamentary elections could take place on a consensual basis.

Amid increased instability across the Middle East, quick, concerted action was needed to address the humanitarian situation — both inside and outside Syria.  “Now is the time for the international community to work in a concerted manner and without delay,” he stressed.

Following his briefing, Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, said the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was “precarious”, with ground conditions continuing to decline.   Israel’s illegal policies harmed the very belief that peace could be achieved.

To succeed, the peace initiative must require Israel to halt settlement activities and accept that negotiations would begin on the basis of the 4 June 1967 borders.  Palestinian political prisoners must be released and the blockade on Gaza lifted.  For its part, the Council could no longer “remain on the sidelines, abdicating its responsibilities” to work for a lasting solution.  He was committed to a two-State solution, but at its core was an obligation to fulfil Palestinians’ aspirations, including the right of return for refugees, and to self-determination.

Ron Prosor( Israel) said that not a day had passed in 65 years during which Israelis had not yearned for peace. But peace would remain elusive until Israel’s neighbours recognized Israel as a Jewish State that was here to stay.  The three pillars on which regional peace must stand included one on education for tolerance and coexistence.  He asked how children in Gaza could be expected to learn tolerance when their leaders repressed them daily.  The second involved a clear recognition that Israel was the State of the Jewish people.  Finally, peace must be based on reassurances for the security and safety of the only Jewish State.

When the floor was open for debate, delegates said both sides would benefit from overcoming the impasse, resuming negotiations and establishing an action plan with precise goals.

The United States representative said President Obama’s trip to the Middle East had led to constructive talks with the Israeli and Palestinian leadership.  They had agreed to engage in new efforts, including the removal of barriers to commerce and the expansion of private sector investment in the West Bank.  All parties must reinvigorate the pursuit of a two-State solution.  Provocations that could jeopardize that path must be avoided.

Egypt’s representative called for an urgent review of the Middle East Quartet, as it had made no progress in four years.  It could not even agree on whether to meet.  He supported United States’ efforts to reinvigorate the peace process and welcomed the easing of fiscal constraints on Palestinians.  Continued Israeli violations of calm in Gaza were worrying, as was its tightened embargo on the enclave.

The Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States said the peace process had been in a stalemate since the General Assembly had elevated Palestine to a non-member observer State.  The League held Israel fully responsible for the delays, in part because of its continued settlement expansion.

Lebanon’s delegate added that Israel’s construction of the separation wall, land confiscation and control over water sources only exacerbated Palestinian difficulties.

The deteriorating situation in Syria also received attention today, with many delegates decrying the continued bloodshed, now in its second year, and calling for an end to the violence.  They urged parties to forge a political solution that would lead to the establishment of a democratic country that respected the rule of law.

Syria’s delegate said he would not respond to allegations made about his country, but he noted that many countries were trying to provoke an intra-Islamic conflict in order to bury the Israel-Palestine conflict and the possibility of a two-State solution.

Also speaking today were the representatives of France, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, Australia, Morocco, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Guatemala, Argentina, Togo, Republic of Korea, China, Rwanda, Djibouti, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Iran (on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement), Ukraine, India, Cuba, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Norway, Venezuela, Malaysia, Iceland, Indonesia, South Africa, Botswana, Turkey, Qatar, Nicaragua, Bahrain and Ecuador.

A representative of the European Union also spoke, as did the Chairman on the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

The meeting began at 10:10 a.m. recessed at 1:25 p.m., reconvened at 3:10 p.m. and adjourned at 6:58 p.m.

Background

Meeting to consider the situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, the Security Council was expected to hear a briefing by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, to be followed by an open debate.

Statements

RIYAD MANSOUR, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine, said the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem — the State of Palestine — remained precarious, with conditions on the ground continuing to decline.  While many spoke of an unsustainable status quo, he believed there was no status quo.  In fact, “the situation has actually never stopped changing, and regrettably, not for the better.”

Israel pursued illegal policies “aimed at altering the demography, character and geographic nature of the Territory,” he said, which endangered “the viability and very possibility” of a two-State solution based on the 1967 borders.  Israeli policies were also harming the very belief that peace could be achieved.  Increasing protests by Palestinians against the occupation were subject to “violent suppression” and Israeli settler “terror and havoc” against Palestinians and their land created a “highly toxic” combination requiring urgent remedy.  Palestinian leaders and the international community widely supported the two-State solution, but the occupation worked against chances for “genuine peace, security and coexistence”.

He welcomed the recent visit by the United States President, which showed renewed commitment to a just peace, and helped to create an atmosphere conducive for progress.  In line with Palestinians’ “commitment to finding a political path forward”, the leadership had engaged sincerely in follow-up meetings with the United States Secretary of State and with the Arab Ministerial Follow-up Committee, including at the Arab Summit in Doha.  Arab commitment to peace, as reaffirmed through the Arab Peace Initiative, was “unquestionable”, but intention was not enough to overcome serious obstacles posed by Israel which “repeatedly undermined and actually sabotaged” past efforts for peace.

Success in any forthcoming peace initiative required cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including around East Jerusalem.  There was a global consensus about the illegality of the activity, and it was “entirely incompatible with ending occupation and making peace”.  Israel’s leaders needed to accept the principle of withdrawal in line with relevant Security Council resolutions.  Israel needed also to accept that negotiations would begin on the basis of the 4 June 1967 borders, and that only negotiation could be used to make adjustments between the two sides.  Palestinian political prisoners needed to be released; as 168 of the 4,900 Palestinians in captivity were being held without charge or trial.  In addition, there were 235 children and 1,200 people needing urgent medical attention being detained, he said.  The deaths of Arafat Jaradat and MaysaraAbu Hamdiyeh in detention had contributed to rising tensions over the issue.  He saluted the hunger strike of Samer Issawi, who was protesting his re-arrest and detention without charge, and called on members of the Quartet to continue efforts to compel Israel to release Issawi.  He reiterated his call for Israel to end the blockade of the Gaza Strip, which continued to “debilitate and disfigure Palestinian society”, as highlighted recently by the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

A full political solution was needed, not partial or temporary remedies, he said.  The various problems faced in the occupied territories were actually symptoms of the larger problem:  “the continuation of the conflict and the absence of a just solution”.  Political will was required to overcome the prevailing obstacles and to advance negotiations to resolve the core issues within a set timeframe.  That could only be achieved if Israel was held accountable and was no longer absolved of its legal obligations.  It was vital that the international community made “tangible efforts” to compel Israel to abide by the law because the current impasse was unsustainable and efforts to “manage” the conflict were unacceptable.  He hoped that the United States Secretary of State succeeded in efforts to launch a credible peace process and stressed that such efforts needed to include the Security Council, which could not “passively remain on the sidelines, abdicating its responsibilities” to work for a lasting solution and the establishment of peace and security in the region.  He added that he supported the Arab Ministerial delegation that would soon be visiting various capitals, “promoting a political horizon”.  He stressed his commitment to the two-State solution, but added that, at the core of that commitment was the obligation to preserve the dignity of the Palestinian people and to ensure justice for them.  Fulfilment of their national aspirations and rights, including the right of return for refugees and the right to self-determination in the independent State of Palestine were essential to that.

On the internal Palestinian front, he said he would continue to strive to end political division, with active efforts aimed at reconciliation ongoing.  He was grateful for international support for unity and looked forward to elections taking place soon “in continuation of the democratic path we have chosen”.  He wished to reassure the international community that the recent resignation of Prime Minister Fayyad would not affect efforts.  He also expressed his “grave concern” about the situation of Palestinian refugees in Syria.  Hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees had fled Syria, suffering a second displacement.  The crisis underscored the need for a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the question of Palestine in all its aspect, as well as the urgency of a political solution to the conflict in Syria.  He appealed to the international community, including the Security Council, to uphold its responsibilities in that regard.

RON PROSOR ( Israel) said “ Israel wants peace”, noting that not a day had passed in 65 years during which Israelis had not yearned for peace.  Jewish tradition teaches that the world was sustained on three pillars:  truth, justice and peace.  Today, he wanted to speak about the three pillars on which a lasting peace in the region must stand.  Those pillars were the foundation and must remain standing in the shifting sands of the Middle East.  The first pillar was education for tolerance and coexistence.  Peace should be fostered in homes, taught in schools and nourished by leaders and woven into the very fabric of society.  It did not take an urban planner to realize that the Palestinians were missing the blueprints to build a peaceful neighbourhood.  From kindergarten rooms to the fields of summer camps, messages of intolerance filled Palestinian society.  Palestinian Authority television included a children’s programme featuring a young girl reciting a poem that called Jews “Allah’s enemies, the sons of pigs”.

How could children in Gaza be expected to learn tolerance when their own leaders repressed them daily?  Hamas had banned co-education and arrested women for riding bicycles.  The second pillar involved a clear recognition that Israel was the State of the Jewish people.  “ Israel is committed to two States for two peoples,” he said, recalling that, in 1947, Israel had accepted the United Nations plan to create two States in the region — one Arab and one Jewish.  But Arab leaders at that time had rejected the existence of a Jewish State.

Sixty-five years on, Palestinian leaders never spoke about “two States for two people”.  Last November, the Palestinian Authority had built a monument in Bethlehem depicting the boundaries of a Palestinian State that extended from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River.  “ Israel was literally wiped off the map,” he said, adding that President Abbasalso publically embraced Hamas.  Hamas — and its extremist ideology — were the enemies of peace.  There would be no peace until Israel’s neighbours recognized Israel as a Jewish State that was here to stay.  As for the third pillar, peace built on security, he said the situation in Gaza provided a valuable lesson about any future arrangement in the West Bank.

As rockets flew out of Gaza, new and more sophisticated weapons were flowing in, he said, noting that just this month, security forces detained a vessel off the southern coast of the Sinai peninsula carrying 60,000 rifles, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, machine guns, hand grenades and ammunition.  It was no secret that Iran was the primary supplier of such arms and greatest sponsor of terrorism in the Middle East.  Iran’s Ayatollahs threatened to combine their extremist ideology with nuclear weapons.  “Make no mistake — Iran’s ambition for nuclear weapons is the single greatest threat to the Middle East and the entire world,” he said.  Last month, negotiations to convince Iran to abandon its nuclear programme ended with Iran’s announcement of two projects to expand its uranium processing ability.

At the same time, Iran was providing guidance to Syrian President Basharal-Assad as he butchered the Syrian people, and even now, was sending Hizbullah fighters to Syria to execute bloody plans on the ground.  In Lebanon, Hizbullah was building an army equipped with 50,000 missiles, more than many members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).  Last month, a court in Cyprus jailed a Hizbullah member for planning terrorist attacks against civilians.  Yet, that was still not enough to allow some European Union members to call Hizbullah a terrorist group, despite the fact that it operated with impunity on European soil.  Any peace agreement must be based on reassurances for the security and safety of the citizens of the only Jewish State.

While Israelis understood that peace came at a price, “we will not turn a blind eye in the face of the threats that surround us”, he said.  For all those who believed that the so-called Arab Spring would lead to the blossoming of a new Middle East, democracy had not taken root.  Instead, there had been more violence.  To establish peace, a structure must be built that could withstand the rough winds of change sweeping the region.  The architecture of peace had never been clearer.  It had never been more important to strengthen the pillars of tolerance, mutual recognition and security — as those were the blueprints that needed to be followed by Israelis and Palestinians and, indeed, all people in the region, “if we are to live in peace, security and prosperity”.

SUSAN RICE ( United States) saw a “rapid deterioration” in the already-devastating situation in Syria.  Attacks by regime forces on their own people included the use of heavy weapons, aircraft and ballistic missiles and were “deplorable”, she said.  She was also outraged by a recent attack in Damascus which caused hundreds of deaths and showed the regime’s “complete disregard” for the lives of its citizens.  The Government should be fully accountable for its actions and free and unfettered access for the Commission of Inquiry, which had been called for by the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council, was needed.  A recent surge in refugee numbers was of great concern and a clear sign of the deterioration of the situation.  She applauded the generosity of countries hosting refugees, counting on Syria’s neighbours to keep their borders open to those fleeing to find safety.  She called on States to contribute to Syria appeals and to consider what more could be done, and praised Kuwait for fulfilling contributions to United Nations agencies and other organizations.  The United States had donated $409 million in humanitarian assistance and had sent enough wheat to feed a million people for four months.

She commended the Syrian opposition for its bold declaration of principles, which highlighted their will to reject extremism, to prevent the use and transfer of chemical weapons and to preserve State institutions.  United States Secretary of State John Kerry had underscored his commitment to a political solution by announcing the doubling of non-lethal support to $250 million to assist local opposition councils, to build capacity of civilian activists and to link activists with larger coordination councils.  She supported a negotiated solution that was based on the Geneva communiqué, but urged the international community to consider “what more could be done” to facilitate an orderly end to the conflict.  She said the dangers posed by the possible use of chemical weapons were “very real and concerning” and she urged President Assad’s regime to transfer its full executive authority to the transitional authority.  The Syrian people had clearly rejected extremist ideology of Al-Qaida, she said, while giving her support to the Secretary-General’s efforts to investigate the possible use of chemical weapons.  Having requested a United Nations investigation, Syria should give full and unfettered access to the investigation.  She noted the threat posed to neighbours by the conflict, particularly Lebanon, as demonstrated in recent attacks across the border, and criticized the transfer of money, weapons and expertise to President Assad from Hizbullah and Iran.  She congratulated the Lebanese President, Michel Suleiman, for his leadership and said the nomination of TammanSalam was the first step towards forming a new government which needed to remain Lebanese led.  She encouraged the country to stick to the framework and to hold parliamentary elections.

President Obama’s trip to the Middle East had led to constructive talks with the Israeli and Palestinian leadership and underlined his commitment to bringing both parties back to negotiations.  The parties had agreed to engage in new efforts to facilitate economic development for Palestinians, including the removal of barriers to commerce and the expansion of private sector investment in the West Bank.  That was no substitute for serious negotiations, but she hoped the measures would increase the chances for successful talks and expressed her full support for pushing the process forward.  As President Obama had said in Jerusalem, despite the challenges, “peace is necessary, peace is just and peace is possible”.  She said the United States would continue to support the Palestinian people and their efforts to build a future State.  The United States provided budget support to the Palestinian State and was the largest bilateral donor to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), donating $113 million in the 2013 fiscal year.  Support for a viable and independent Palestinian State would continue, and she looked to the Palestinian Authority to revitalize the Palestinian economy and to reform institutions to better serve the Palestinian people.  She said all parties needed to reinvigorate the pursuit of a two-State solution and a comprehensive peace, while recognizing that serious challenges remained.  Rockets launched from Gaza and Sinai at Israel undermined efforts, and tensions and provocations could escalate and damage efforts to achieve peace.  She urged leaders to avoid such provocations that could impact negatively on negotiations and a solution.

GÉRARD ARAUD (France), recalling that a two-State solution was the only fair outcome to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, supported United States efforts to resume the peace process, in hopes it would induce the parties to resume talks with a view to reaching a lasting settlement.  A viable political environment would require the adoption of confidence-building measures to prove that a better future was possible.  He was concerned about the tensions created over the issue of Palestinian prisoners and called on Israel to respect its international obligations vis-à-vis Palestinian detainees.

He said France attached crucial importance to the continued good practices to strengthen the credibility of the Palestinian State, urging that the development in Zone C be promoted.  Ending demolitions and confiscations also was imperative, and France regretted that 60 such demolitions had occurred yesterday.  Calling on Israel and Palestinian leaders to abide by their support for a two-State solution, he said settlements both violated international law and undermined peace.  They must be prevented.  On the issue of Palestinian unity, he called on regional actors to support reconciliation under President Abbas.  Support must be consolidated for the parties that were now at a stalemate.  He condemned rocket launches against Israel.

On the situation in Syria, he asked when the Council would take the necessary measures to end the suffering, including referring the matter to the International Criminal Court.  The Council’s message on the need to ensure humanitarian access had been insufficient.  Donors must also fulfil their aid pledges.  A political transition was required that responded to Syrians’ need to determine their fate, based on the Geneva communiqué and the fact that presidential powers must be transferred to a transitional Government.  That stage had not yet been reached, and the Syrian President disregarded the reality of the crisis.  France continued to support the opposition.  He called for international support for a political transition.  He also welcomed Lebanon’s disassociation policy.  While Syria had violated Lebanon’s sovereignty, he called on all Lebanese people to uphold the Baabda Declaration.  The region was on the brink of disaster as a result of the Syrian crisis, and those regional consequences must not be ignored.

SYLVIE LUCAS ( Luxembourg) associated herself with the European Union and saw an opportunity to develop a serious political initiative and achieve a two-State solution in the Middle East peace process.  She welcomed the visits of United States politicians which were “important milestones” for relaunching negotiations, and said both sides would benefit from overcoming the impasse, resuming negotiations and establishing an action plan with precise goals.  Though both parties had shown their commitment, Israel needed to end settlements and respect and abide by agreements with the Palestinians, to show faith.  She was “deeply concerned” by new and continued settlement activity and by the destruction of Palestinian property, as well as statements by Israeli Ministers calling for strengthening of settlement activity, including in the E1 area.  No one in Palestine could believe in peace if roads were reserved for settlers, the separation wall continued to wrest lands from Palestinians and illegal detentions continued.  Palestinians also needed to fulfil their commitments to combat terrorism, she said, condemning the firing of rockets at civilians, which were “simply unacceptable”.  She greatly regretted the resignation of the Palestinian Prime Minister and was grateful for his service to the people during a very difficult time, especially in building strong institutions.

Words were “insufficient to describe the horror” faced by civilians in Syria, she said, listing torture, sexual violence, the use of children as combatants and the use of ballistic missiles as examples of crimes carried out.  She was alarmed by the possible use of chemical weapons and said investigation teams were needed with full access in order to shed light on all credible allegations of their use.  The list of crimes “continued to lengthen” and could not go unpunished.  In the absence of a process for holding criminals responsible nationally, the International Criminal Court needed to come into play.  Lakhdar Brahimiand Valerie Amos were right in saying that Syria was approaching “a point of no return”, and urgent action was needed by the Security Council.  One step had been taken in the previous week when it urged the lifting of obstacles to humanitarian assistance.  The work of the United Nations should not be impeded and humanitarian convoys should not be subject to attacks.  The Council had also urged an end to all armed violence and the need for a political transition in line with the Geneva communiqué.  Now it was necessary to move forward from there and for the Security Council to put aside its differences and meet its obligations.

She said the Syrian National Coalition was a “legitimate interlocutor” and she encouraged inclusivity and the union of all Syrian society around the vision of a credible transition.  It was clear that President Assad “could not prevail on the battlefield and could not claim to represent the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people”.  Syria’s neighbours faced threats because of the conflict, she continued, with Lebanon and Jordan facing “existential threats”.  She welcomed the solidarity Syria’s neighbours had shown with refugees and stressed it was important to give substance to the pronouncements of the Kuwait City Conference.  Luxembourg had transferred funds promised to United Nations funds and agencies and had increased its contribution recently.  She urged an end to cross-border rocket fire against Lebanon and full respect for its sovereignty and that of others.  She praised the work of Lebanese President, Michel Suleiman, and said more work was needed to prevent the spread of the conflict.

MARK LYALL GRANT ( United Kingdom) said the Israeli-Palestinian peace process was central to the wider region, welcoming efforts by the United States Secretary of State, as well as the good will with which they had been received.  His Government stood ready to mobilize the European Union around decisive moves for peace and he urged both parties to take steps to rebuild confidence.  This month’s events painted a mixed picture.  He welcomed the agreement to end the hunger strike of Samer Issawi, but Israel’s use of administrative detention was a concern.  The continued use of live fire by Israeli Defence Forces had resulted in the deaths of Palestinian teenagers and Molotov cocktails had been used against those forces.  He called for investigation into those clashes.

He said economic and political stability was essential for creating the conditions for peace, expressing regret at the resignation of Salam Fayyad as Prime Minister and urging support for the Palestinian institutions he had helped to build.  He welcomed the resumed transfer of tax revenues to Palestinians and expected those transfers to continue.  On Syria, he expressed outrage at reports of killings by the Government of hundreds of people in the suburbs of Damascus.  The United Kingdom was steadfast in its support for Special Envoy Brahimi, stressing that his room for manoeuvre was rapidly shrinking.  The regime had used scud missiles against civilians and had allegedly used chemical weapons, and he supported the Secretary-General’s investigation in that regard.

He went on to say that more than 50,000 people had died since last draft Security Council resolution had been vetoed in July 2012.  The United Kingdom would support opposition efforts to build a political settlement.  He also commended Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq which had provided sanctuary to those fleeing Syria, urging them to keep their borders open.  The United Kingdom had provided $260 million in humanitarian funding and called on others to translate their pledges into financial contributions.  He called on Syria to urgently facilitate free and unfettered access to all areas of the country, while the Council must address that issue urgently.  Those who committed human rights abuses must be held to account and Syria must grant the Commission of Inquiry access to the country.

VITALY CHURKIN ( Russian Federation) said the situation in the Middle East remained fragile.  That was confirmed by recent rocket fire from Gaza and the response by the Israeli Air Force.  In recent days, the West Bank situation had deteriorated with demonstrations following the death of a Palestinian detainee.  It was important to ensure those events did not “morph into another wave of violence” and the fragility of the situation was grounds for deep concern.  He opposed all manifestations of terror and agreed with fighting it “mercilessly”.  However, action against civilians was also unacceptable.  It was important to give active assistance to ensure resumption of contacts and negotiations between Israel and Palestine without preconditions.  That had been spelled out in the Quartet’s statement and renewed armed confrontation would prove “deadly” to prospects for the resumption of negotiations.  If the ceasefire in Gaza held, the blockade of Gaza needed lifting and Israel, simultaneously, needed to avoid steps that would allow more settlement activities.  Halting settlements was vital to building mutual trust, as was resolving the humanitarian situation and taking action on the issue of prisoners and detainees.  He welcomed the agreement that had led to the suspension of Samer Issawi’shunger strike and noted the contribution of Prime Minister Fayyad to establishing Palestinian statehood.

On Syria, he condemned the kidnapping in Aleppo of Greek and Syrian orthodox religious figures, saying such activity “fanned the flames” of ethnic and religious divisions in the country.  It had been carried out by extremists in the opposition just after the declaration of principles and proved that the opposition leadership was, therefore, either untrustworthy or incompetent.  In addition, it had taken place in the supposed “liberated area” along the Turkish border, so should clearly not have happened.  He was “puzzled” over the European Union’s decision to allow oil to flow across the Turkish border, saying it was “trampling on the foot of international law and sovereignty”.  Though billed as a gesture of support to the moderate opposition, the money would flow to the strongest armed groups, made up of “radicals and extremists” associated with Al-Qaida.  Also alarming was the readiness of Member States to supply groups with arms, as it enabled continuation of all-out war, further degrading the overall situation and potentially harming Syria’s neighbours, too.  In connection with that, a number of the allies of the armed opposition were trying to push a harmful resolution in the General Assembly.  The humanitarian situation needed addressing, with trust and cooperation between the Government and humanitarian groups, and the politicization of humanitarian groups should be avoided.  He called on all groups to stop the  violenceand to agree on a transitional governing body, as provided for in the Geneva communiqué.

GARY QUINLAN ( Australia) supported all efforts to achieve lasting security for Israel, as well as a Palestinian State.  A two-State solution would only be realized through negotiations.  There was a window of opportunity to reengage in the peace process, which “we simply must not miss”, he said, stressing that United States leadership was crucial.  The Israeli Prime Minister had reaffirmed his commitment to a two-State solution and to sit at the negotiation table without preconditions.  The Palestinian Authority President said he was prepared to implement all commitments and obligations and those pledges must be translated into actions.

He went on to say there were signs of a more conducive environment, welcoming the restraint shown by Israel following recent rocket attacks from Gaza, and equally by Palestinians, in refraining from taking unilateral action in international forums.  On other matters, he said settlements threatened the viability of a Palestinian State.  Donor support to a Palestinian State was crucial.  He regretted the resignation of Salam Fayyad and appreciated his role in building an institutional foundation for a Palestinian State.  The Palestinian Authority must not allow those achievements to be lost.  Australia looked to Israel to ease restrictions to create a viable Palestinian economy.  Palestinians must cease all violence against Israel and unite for peace.

On Syria, he said the situation was at a tipping point.  The scale and impacts of the crisis — and its destabilizing consequences for Syria’s neighbours — must be a decisive concern for the Council.  There were 8,000 Syrian fleeing daily in March.  One in four people in Lebanon were Syrian.  All parties, especially Syria, must cooperate with the United Nations to allow humanitarian access, including cross-border access.  The Council must respond to Special Envoy  Brahimi’s plea, and he called on both Syria and the opposition to engage in meaningful dialogue for a transition to a democratic country that respected the rule of law.  Australia was seriously concerned at the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria, and if substantiated, the Council must respond quickly and credibly.  It could not continue to fail to help end that catastrophic situation.

MOHAMMED LOULICHKI ( Morocco) said the Palestinian cause had gone through a “historic and decisive turning point” since interruption of the peace process in 2010.  Security Council intervention was needed to get negotiations back up and running. The visit of President Obama and initiatives pushed by Secretary of State Kerry opened “a glimmering of hope” of reinvigoration of negotiations towards a two-State solution.  He wished the initiatives every success, recalling that the continued Arab commitment to a lasting and fair peace had been reaffirmed at Doha in March.  Arabs were particularly committed to the Arab Peace Initiative, the significance of which had been restated at successive summits.  The flexibility of Arabs and Palestinians was impeded by ongoing settlement and colonization, particularly in Jerusalem.  That posed a threat to peace, preventing an internationally accepted solution, because settlements had been condemned and rejected by the international community.

Israel flouted Security Council resolutions and prevented an environment that would be conducive to the resumption of negotiations.  East Jerusalem had been targeted by a settlement policy that sought to “alter the demographic and cultural composition of a town of great symbolic significance”.  Morocco had called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities so that the sacred nature of holy sites could be upheld and that Jerusalem could remain a town for the coexistence of religions.  He pointed to the hard economic circumstances faced in the occupied Palestinian territories, saying the tough situation threatened to wipe out hard-won gains and jeopardize the viability of a Palestinian State.  He welcomed efforts to resolve and prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation and called for an end to the blockade, which was a form of collective punishment imposed on 1.6 million Gazans, including refugees.  He stressed the need to uphold the ceasefire and avoid attacking civilians, calling on Palestinian political factions to abide by the national reconciliation process.  The unity of the Palestinian State was a prerequisite to ensuring its interests were upheld.  On the issue of Palestinian prisoners, he said Israel needed to stop administrative detention.  He hoped 2013 would be the time for Palestinians to finally forge their own State with East Jerusalem as its capital.  Morocco would use its position as a non-permanent Security Council member to support all efforts to revive the peace process and to fulfil the dreams of all people in the region.

He called for Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan and restated his concerns over the situation faced by the Syrian people at large.  All violence there needed to stop and the Security Council needed to unite behind a framework for international efforts to end the killings and to attain a solution that would enshrine the hopes and aspirations of Syrians and respect national and territorial unity.  On stability in Lebanon, he praised the sprit of unity demonstrated by the people and was certain that Lebanese authorities could resolve pending matters and bring about a new Government through the constitutional framework.

TOFIG MUSAYEV ( Azerbaijan) said discussions on the Middle East brought pressing issues to the forefront, which required coordinated action.  It was clear there was no alternative to peace.  Negotiations and the establishment of the groundwork for a credible peace process were core international priorities, and recent developments in the region had given hope for moving from a point of standstill.  He supported diplomatic efforts by the United States to revive negotiations and contribute to regional stability.  The Arab Peace Initiative also outlined steps to achieve a just and lasting solution.

All parties involved should work to “breathe new life” into the peace process, he said, create a conducive environment and establish a credible political horizon for a two-State solution.  One prerequisite for success was to ensure the process was guided by the normative standards set by the Charter of the United Nations and the objective of finding a settlement that was based on international law.  Tangible outcomes would be impossible in the absence of dedicated efforts.  Israeli settlements were a serious obstacle to the peace process and prospects for achieving a two-State solution.  Azerbaijan rejected settlement activities, which were illegal and must stop immediately.

He went on to say that the 21 November 2012 ceasefire also must be upheld, urging in that context, that cultural diversity be used as an advantage by promoting intercultural dialogue and negating both religious and ethnic intolerance.  He supported efforts to achieve Palestinian reconciliation under President Abbas, saying that economic support must be complemented by humanitarian assistance.  It was critical to end the suffering of Palestinian prisoners and detainees.  The moment of opportunity could not be lost.  He expressed Azerbaijan’s firm belief that peace and prosperity was achievable with political will, and greater efforts at the regional and international levels.

MASOOD KHAN ( Pakistan) said he felt “a slight tinge of optimism” in Mr. Feltman’sbriefing and “a flicker of hope” had appeared after the visits of President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry to the region.  The Security Council, the Quartet and the regional leaders needed to energize the stalled peace process.  A two-State solution was rapidly vanishing.  Palestine and Israel had not met for the past two-and-a-half years.  Mr. Kerry warned last week that the chance to create a Palestinian State alongside Israel would be lost in one to two years.  This was “not a gloomy forecast, but a reality developing on the ground”.  Ongoing settlement construction and Israel’s plans for new settlements in E1 area would hinder the two-State solution by cutting the West Bank into two and destroying the contiguity of the Palestinian State.  A one-State reality would be unlawful and unsustainable.  In the interest of both Israel and Palestine, new Israeli settlement plans must be frozen and earlier decisions rescinded.  It was in the interest of Israel to work towards a long-term and sustainable resolution of the conflict.  Ending its occupation of the Syrian Golan and Lebanese lands was also imperative.  Recent elections in Israel and consequent formation of Government there should not be cited as justification for reduced interest in the resumption of the peace process.

Urgent measures were needed to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, he said, outlining several steps.  Gaza had become “one big prison”.  The blockade on Gaza, as demanded by Council resolution 1860 (2009), must be lifted.  Heightened restrictions on movements of people and goods and reduction of fishing limits must be removed.  Checkpoints and barriers must be removed from the West Bank, because they interfere with mobility and trade, and the Palestinian Authority’s tax revenues should be transferred to Ramallah on time.  The inhuman treatment of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli jails should be stopped.  An independent investigation into the death of Arafat Jaradat in Israeli custody must be initiated and concluded to bring the perpetrators to justice.

 Turning to Syria, he said that “Syrian is killing Syrian”, and “the crisis is assuming more sinister dimensions by the day”.  Noting that “dictates of realpolitik” had immobilized the international community and the Council from making any meaningful intervention, he warned that things had reached “a tipping point”.  Syrians, regional countries and major Powers needed to sit with Mr. Brahimito implement the Geneva communiqué, which contained all the right ingredients for political dialogue and dispensation.  If there was any fresh thinking, it needed to be developed fast to stop further carnage.

GERT ROSENTHAL ( Guatemala) said the only way out of the Syrian conflict was for both parties to lay down their weapons and negotiate a political solution.  Militarization of the conflict would not resolve the underlying problems that gave rise to demonstrations in Syria two years ago.  Continuation of the armed struggle would only increase sectarian violence and risk spreading to neighbouring countries.  He was also very concerned by the emergence of groups associated with terrorist organizations that had become part of the armed opposition.  Such groups should not be allowed to take advantage of the existing instability.  He acknowledged efforts to create the so-called Syrian National Coalition, but was concerned that the Coalition was being labelled the “legitimate representative of the Syrian people”.  Any transition in Syria should be the product of a Syrian-led process that respected the rights of all parties.  It was premature to legitimize a group that may not enjoy the Syrian public’s widespread support and, much less, had been democratically elected.  He hoped that group was focused on facilitating interlocutors to advance peaceful negotiations between the parties.  The perpetrators of all crimes in Syria should be held to account.  The Syrian people’s suffering must not be permitted to continue.  He welcomed pledges to the humanitarian response plan in Syria, which must be effective.

He hoped that, in the short term, Israel and Palestine could commit to the peace process.  On 8 April, the Guatemalan Government recognized Palestine as a state based on Palestine’s right to self-determination.  That did not ignore, however, the importance of re-launching direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine, to achieve a final agreement that ensured peaceful coexistence.  He hoped the Quartet would resume a proactive role towards that end.  This year should be marked by the long-delayed resumption of substantive negotiations towards a final agreement on all outstanding issues.  Work by the United States in recent weeks may help steer the process and give the parties the necessary push to launch a much-needed dialogue.  He was concerned by the poor state of the Palestinian economy and its negative impact on efforts to build State institutions.  The international community must reaffirm its support for the Palestinian Authority and encourage countries in the region, as well as emerging economies, to aid Palestinian economic revitalization.

MARÍA CRISTINA PERCEVAL ( Argentina) said the upcoming months would be decisive in reviving the Arab-Israeli peace process.  She believed that another failure could seriously damage prospects for a two-State solution, seeing a “window of opportunity” that could not withstand further delay.  However, she believed the situation on the ground posed many challenges.  Israel did not seem to be planning any modification to its settlement policy and that was a tangible and clear obstacle in the way of peace.  Additionally, there was no solution to the issue of Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli custody and detentions had intensified in recent times.  She welcomed the legal decision in the case of Samer Issawi, which she said was “vital to the preservation of peace”.  Rocket attacks on Israel also deserved round condemnation.  They demonstrated the fragility of the ceasefire signed at the end of 2012.

The current standstill could be overcome, though, and the United States President’s recent trip and the rapid follow-up by the Secretary of State were significant events.  The success of the new impulses would hinge on the extent that the new commitment led to a resumption of conversation between actors within and outside the region.  The Security Council had an important and constructive role to play, reaffirming the framework for the peace process and ensuring neither side did anything to exacerbate the situation.  Plans to promote the economic and social development, institutional consolidation and fiscal sustainability of Palestine were also welcome, but she was convinced through experience that development and social cohesion would not function in isolation.  A political horizon of a peaceful solution was a prerequisite for any meaningful, long-term strengthening of the Palestinian territories.  The humanitarian situation needed improvement and extending the fishing limit from the shores of Gaza could make a big difference.  Lifting restriction on the importation of building materials would also help.  Those measures could be taken rapidly and fully and there should be no delay.  She said the registration of Palestinian voters marked a significant step towards establishing a unity Government, but substantial problems remained for reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas.

Prospects for a rapid solution to the Syria crisis were not looking good, she said.  Signs of openness to dialogue had not been sufficiently developed and recent serious incidents, particularly on the Lebanon-Syria border, suggested the conflict remained in a spiral of violence.  She reiterated that the only possible solution was political, yet there were daily reports of increased military support from external actors on both sides.  That only helped to continue the war and Argentina had consistently urged an end to the supply of arms.  The Security Council had spoken unanimously on the humanitarian situation, showing that it was possible to confirm the need for a political solution.  Difference among Council members had been overcome to achieve that.  She supported the principles set out repeatedly by Lakhdar Brahimi, which also showed her support for the Geneva communiqué.  That showed, she hoped, that the Security Council was ready to find a political solution through inclusive, candid dialogue with the Syrian people.  She added that she would also continue to watch the situation in Lebanon with concern as the crisis was an “existential threat” to the country.  She supported Lebanon’s Government dissociation policy which aimed to preserve stability.

KODJO MENAN ( Togo) expressed deep concern at events that continued to unfold in the Middle East, stressing that it was time for Palestinians and Israelis to decide to come together, as the status quo had lasted too long.  Both sides must honour their commitments made for a two-State solution and take steps to build mutual trust.  In that regard, he welcomed the 19 April opening of the KerimShalom crossing point for delivering humanitarian goods to Gaza.  The blockade of Gaza must be lifted, while uncharged Palestinian detainees and prisoners must be released.  Settlement activities also must end.  He also urged Hamas to control armed groups that refused to renounce violence.

Palestinian refugees living in camps were also a concern, he said, pressing UNRWA to assist those thousands of people and condemning attacks against that agency.  The solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict required direct negotiations, and to that end, he called on both the Council and the Quartet to exert pressure on both sides to set a new calendar to resume talks.  That was the only way to achieve a lasting settlement to the conflict.  He also urged reactivating the Arab Peace Plan and the Madrid Principles.  The creation of a viable Palestinian State living alongside a secure Israel with recognized borders must be the objective.

Turning to Syria, he recalled the destruction of infrastructure, unbridled killings and human rights violations, saying:  “This country is self-destructing.”  Ending the war was the only solution.  He supported the Council’s 18 April call to end the violence and begin negotiations for a political transition, based on the Geneva communiqué.  In Lebanon, he was concerned about insecurity along its Syrian border and the scale of the humanitarian needs it faced.  Syrian refugees, estimated at 1.2 million people, only fuelled Togo’s concerns, as the related impacts were felt throughout Lebanon, threatening its peace and security.  He called on donors to back the Lebanese Government and to meet the humanitarian needs of refugees.

KIM SOOK ( Republic of Korea) pointed to a “faint glimmer of hope” that allowed for cautious optimism in the Middle East peace process.  Israel and Palestine should work towards a negotiated resolution.  The vicious cycle of violence must be broken.  He condemned the rocket attacks from Gaza, saying both parties must abide by last November’s ceasefire agreement.  He commended Israel’s Government for re-opening the KeremShalom crossings on 18 April.  The plight of those in Gaza could not justify hostility against humanitarian facilities and staff.  The violent acts of protestors against the United Nations food distribution centre were deplorable.  The safety and security of United Nations humanitarian property and staff must be guaranteed.  He was encouraged by the United States Government’s efforts, through visits by that country’s President and Secretary of State, to engage both sides, as well as neighbouring countries.  Such “shuttle diplomacy” would create an atmosphere conducive to resuming peace talks.  He welcomed the reported agreement that would seek ways to support Palestine’s economic development.  He expressed concern that Israel’s demolitions had resumed recently in Area C.  He urged the Israeli Government to stop building more settlements.  He welcomed the agreement between Israel and Palestine on UNESCO’s activities in the Old City of Jerusalem and hoped it would prompt more meaningful steps forward.  He hoped that under the leadership of President Abbas, a capable successor to Prime Minster Fayyad would be appointed soon.

 Turning to the turmoil in Lebanon brought on by the resignation of that country’s Prime Minister and the influx of refugees from neighbouring Syria, he said all political players should unite to secure its political sovereignty and territorial integrity at “this critical juncture”.  On Syria, he said last week’s joint statement by the heads of five United Nations humanitarian agencies warning that the humanitarian response had reached its limits demonstrated the urgency of finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis.  The global community must continue to support vulnerable groups, such as women and children.  He urged the parties to the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and asked countries to support the Syrian case’s referral to the International Criminal Court.  In June, his Government would host the third meeting of the Working Group on Economic Recovery and Development of the Friends of the People of Syria.

LI BAODONG ( China) said “the core and root cause of the Middle East problem” was the Palestinian question, and he was concerned about the long-term stagnation of peace talks.  Nonetheless, a recent stepping up of efforts to return to talks had seen both parties show goodwill.  Welcoming those efforts, he hoped negotiations would restart as soon as possible with China open to all efforts to bridge gaps.  It was 20 years since signing of the Oslo Accords and it was vital that this year not be another failure.  He said that settlements not only stopped peace talks, but even stopped their resumption.  Israel needed to stop settlement activity and also needed to take up the issue of detainees.  The humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories remained grave and he hoped the blockade would be lifted as soon as possible, to alleviate the situation in Gaza.

The Quartet needed to play a role in promoting dialogue, as did the Security Council, he said.  Political dialogue needed to be based on United Nations resolutions, principles like land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the road map.  The ultimate goal was sovereignty and an independent Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital, living alongside Israel in peace.  China supported the “just cause” of the Palestinian people and had promoted talks using all means.  China’s envoy would visit the both parties to exchange views and to carry out peace facilitation work.  That would play a constructive role in establishing a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Syria had reached a critical stage, he said, urging all parties to achieve, as quickly as possible, a ceasefire and cessation of violence.  Political dialogue should be launched and a Syrian-led transition process should begin.  The international community needed to step up its efforts to promote a positive and just settlement of the issue.

EUGÈNE-RICHARD GASANA ( Rwanda), whose country holds the Council’s presidency for the month, said a sustainable solution to Middle East peace process must be a strategic goal, with all parties throwing their full moral, diplomatic and economic support behind that objective.  The Council must ensure decisions were translated into action.  On 20 March, the United States President had visited the region, a positive step in the revival of the peace process.  Rwanda, like the African Union, believed a two-State solution was the only viable solution, which involved the creation of a sovereign and independent Palestinian State living alongside a secure Israel.

He urged both sides to take confidence-building measures to advance the peace process, saying that any measures that undermined that process must be avoided.  Israel should be fully recognized by regional partners and be able to live securely, while the Palestinian aspiration of a politically independent and economically viable State must be fulfilled.  All parties must abide by the ceasefire.  He expressed concern at the deteriorating security situation in the West Bank, calling for an end to statements that could fuel tensions.  While supporting the Quartet, Rwanda deplored the diplomatic impasse and called for redoubled efforts.

The situation in Syria was “a stain on the world’s conscience” with a worsening humanitarian situation, characterized by thousands of deaths and more than 3 million internally displaced persons, he continued, underlining that the international community was obliged to address the situation.  The International Commission of Inquiry had noted that human rights and international law violations had been committed.  Now, chemical weapons had allegedly been used.  Rwanda would work to encourage a strong and unified response to bring about a political transition in Syria.  The Arab League should assume a role in a political solution.  He expressed hope that Lebanon would soon be able to control its borders, calling on that Government to take action against Hizbullah’s aggressions.  The stalemate in the Middle East was not impossible to resolve, but realistic solutions, based on international norms, were needed.  For its part, the Council must seek and enforce sustainable solutions to conflicts in the Middle East.

NAWAF SALAM ( Lebanon) said Council resolution 1701 (2006) called on the international community to urge Israel to honour its commitments and stop violating Lebanese sovereignty by land, sea and air.  The calm reigning in south Lebanon reflected his country’s commitment to that resolution, he said, commending the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).  Efforts must be enhanced to move from a cessation of hostilities to a permanent ceasefire.  Israel’s occupation of a region in the north violated its commitments under resolution 1701 (2006) and he called on Israel to stop its occupation of Shebaa Farms.

The situation in Syria continued to worsen, he said, noting that Lebanon was committed to a disassociation policy, pursuant to which it would not allow sending arms or combatants to Syria, or the establishment of any training camps on its territory.  The influx of refugees to Lebanon was increasing — by 20,000 in the last week alone — and Lebanon was no longer able to meet their housing, medical and food needs.  Its borders, however, would remain open.  He called for an international conference on Syrian refugees on burden sharing and the establishment of camps in Syria, far from the confrontations.

Turning to the Israeli-Palestinian situation, he said Israel’s construction of the separation wall, land confiscation and control of water sources exacerbated Palestinian difficulties.  The Council had remained silent on the conditions that had led to the deaths of two Palestinian prisoners.  A recent report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) documented abject and arbitrary torture, humiliation and other abuses inflicted on Palestinian children.  UNICEF had called for all measures to be taken to ensure appropriate treatment, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  What was preventing the Council from adopting a statement to reflect those documented events?, he asked.

MOOTAZ AHMADEIN KHALIL (Egypt), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement and Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), called on the Security Council to respond as soon as possible to a request received from Palestine for assessment of their membership claim.  He condemned the continued illegal settlement activity by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and the continued Israeli aggression against the Palestinians.  The international community should work towards the immediate release of prisoners and detainees, suffering “flagrant abuses” and death in Israeli prisons.  He saluted Samer Issawi for his hunger strike, saying he held Israel fully responsible for his safety.

He called for an urgent review of the Quartet “mechanism”, as it had achieved no progress in four years.  It could not even agree at present on whether or not to meet.  He supported United States’ efforts to reinvigorate the peace process and welcomed the easing of fiscal constraints on Palestinians.  Continued Israeli violations of calm in Gaza were worrying, as were its tightened embargo on the enclave, which also restricted Palestinian fishermen.  Egypt was investigating media claims that two missiles had been launched from the Sinai.  He called for an immediate end to the hardships facing the Syrian refugees and urged Israel to end its occupation of the Syrian Golan.  The Council should deal seriously with the Palestinian question and implement resolutions to end Israeli settlement activities, which were the fundamental cause of the region’s instability.

AHMED FATHALLA, Permanent Observer of the League of Arab States, said the group’s recent summit had adopted resolution 574 (2013), outlining that a just, comprehensive peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the only just solution.  It also reaffirmed that “ Palestine” was a full partner in the peace process, and called for continued support for a complete cessation of settlement activities.  Since the General Assembly had elevated Palestine to a non-member o bserver State, the peace process had been in a stalemate.  The League held Israel fully responsible for the delays, in part because of its continued settlement expansion.  The Secretary-General, in his report of 8 March, had said 2013 was “the year of decision” for the peace process.  In other recent developments, the United States’ delegation had stated that the country was committed to direct negotiations.

 He cited as a most important development for Syria, the summit’s 26 March adoption of resolution 580 (2013), which welcomed the national coalition of the opposition to occupy a seat in the Arab League.  It commended the efforts of Syria’s neighbours in easing urgent refugee needs and called for an international conference at the United Nations for Syria’s reconstruction.  The League’s Secretary-General had held a meeting with the High Commissioner for Refugees to address the crisis.  There was no alternative to a political solution.  In April, the United Nations, the Arab League and the Joint Special Representative had discussed the need for the parties in Syria to begin that process, and the Secretary-General had urged the Council to help achieve that solution.  The speaker also pressed the Council to take such action.

ROBLE OLHAYE ( Djibouti), speaking on behalf of the OIC, said it was “unfavourable” to miss fundamental opportunities created by upgrading Palestine’s status in the United Nations.  Yet, Israel continued its illegal policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory through settlement expansion, building the apartheid wall, detaining thousands of Palestinians, and illegally besieging Gaza, threatening to undermine the two-State solution and destabilize the region.  He called on the international community to ensure that Israel stopped its settlement policies and enabled the Palestinian people to exercise their inalienable rights.

He said the Council must uphold justice, freedom, international law and international resolutions for the peace process to proceed and for the Palestinian people to achieve their right to self-determination and independence and a just settlement for refugees.   He was very concerned by human rights violations against Palestinians in Israeli jails.  The death of MaysaraAbu Hamdiyehlast month exposed Israel’s inhumane policies and systematic violations against the prisoners.  The international community must intervene urgently to defend Palestinian prisoners’ human rights, save their lives and pressure Israel to respect international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions and immediately release the prisoners.  He reiterated the Conference’s unwavering demand for Israel to immediately end the Gaza blockade and open all crossing points.

He was very concerned about the ongoing violence and destruction in Syria.  He stressed the need to preserve Syria’s unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and called for the immediate cessation of violence, killings and destruction, and for respect of Islamic values, human rights, and for saving Syria from the danger of all-out civil war.  He urged the Syrian regime to stop killing its citizens and to engage in serious dialogue with all parties to pave the way for democratic reforms.  The international community, particularly the Council, should assume its responsibility and act promptly to stop the killing, destruction and displacement of the Syrian people and to find a peaceful, lasting solution to the crisis.

ABDALLAH Y. AL-MOUALLIMI ( Saudi Arabia), associating with the League of Arab States, the OIC and the Non-Aligned Movement, said that the reaching of a just and equitable solution to the Palestinian question remained a “disappointing mirage”.  Israel showed “defiance and disdain” for the international community’s will by proceeding with settlement expansion, mistreating and devaluing Palestinian prisoners’ lives and allowing settlers to continue with brutal attacks and assaults on the Palestinian people.  He urged the international community to compel Israel to respect children’s rights, drawing the Council’s attention to UNICEF’s report that “explicitly depicted the brutal, inhuman punishments” imposed by Israel on Palestinian children held in their prisons.

Peace remained the “strategic option”, he said, adding, however, that Arab States believed Israeli aggression undermined the chances of reaching a just peace based on a two-State solution within the 1967 borders.  “Enough of settlements; enough of aggression; enough of occupation,” he declared.

He said that the situation in Syria was deteriorating daily, with the number of refugees having swelled to an estimated 3 million, burdening neighbouring countries and posing a serious threat to the region’s security and stability.  The world had condemned the Syrian regime and had stressed the need for an equitable solution.  The opposition had taken “bold steps” in uniting under the banner of the National Syrian Coalition, recognized by more than 100 countries.  It was time for the Syrian people to regain its appropriate position in international organizations and bodies, having “loudly declared its will be demanding the departure” of President Assad’s regime, which had lost its legitimacy when it committed aggression and atrocities against its own people.

 REGINA MARIA CORDEIRO DUNLOP ( Brazil) reiterated her call for Israel to cease all settlement construction “immediately and unconditionally” and to reconsider its decision to build in the so-called “E1 area”, as well as to dismantle all settlement construction.  On the heels of the recent diplomatic activity in the region, including President Obama’s visit to Israel and Palestine, she urged Israelis and Palestinians to take advantage of the “momentum” and show the political resolve needed to reach the goal of a Palestinian State.  Fostering inclusive economic development in Palestine was essential to consolidate the State and build a solid basis for lasting peace.  Many civil society organizations from both sides were a “source of hope in the search for peace”, and it was important, therefore, to give them adequate voice.

Turning to Syria, she expressed dismay at the continued and unabated violence against civilians, and called on stakeholders to actively seek to convince all sides that there was no military solution.  It was critical to stop the flow of weapons into Syria, as it further fed the “erroneous perception” that military victory was a realistic possibility.  She regretted that political differences had prevented the Council from engaging in the implementation of the final communiqué of the Action Group for Syria, which provided the guidelines for a viable negotiation process.  Lastly, she urged all parties to facilitate safe, unfettered and immediate access of humanitarian organizations to those in need.

ABDOU SALAM DIALLO (Senegal), Chairman, Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, recalled that, at the 17-18 April meeting in Caracas, the Committee had called on the international community to re-engage with Israel and the State of Palestine to remove obstacles to negotiation, as well as for a revitalized Quartet.  The Committee had strongly condemned settlements and demanded their cessation, and had deplored the abuse of Palestinian prisoners, who were often detained without trial.  Participating delegations had demanded their release, including “pre-Oslo” detainees.

Hopeful that Assembly resolution 67/19 (2012) would accelerate momentum in the Council towards full United Nations membership for the State of Palestine, he said the Committee considered its 29 November 2012 passage a “vote of confidence” that that Palestine had met the Charter criteria for statehood and was ready to assume duties that came with membership.  The Committee confirmed that the State of Palestine could use International Court of Justice’s dispute settlement mechanisms.  It had also decided to ask the Assembly to proclaim an International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

THOMAS MAYR-HARTING, Head of the delegation of the European Union, said the bloc was aware of the obstacles standing in the way of a comprehensive peace, but he felt that a ”decisive breakthrough is possible, and that it must take place very soon”.  Israeli settlement activities, illegal under international law, impeded peace and undermined the viability of a two-State solution.  The Union’s recent emphasis on economic development in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in particular in Area C of the West Bank, was fully in line with the options and initiatives currently under discussion, and it was “ready and willing to take its support to the next level”.

He said the Union condemned in the strongest terms the latest rocket fire from Gaza and rocket attacks at the Israeli city of Eilat.  At the same time, he acknowledged the achievements of outgoing Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in institution-building and in strengthening the rule of law and recalled that the Union had played a major role in bring about those results, prompting international financial institutions to declare that Palestine was above the threshold for a functioning State. If an agreement was reached to end the conflict, the door would open to enhanced cooperation between the region and the Union.

The Syrian Government bore the primary responsibility for the ongoing violence in that country, and the Union condemned the widespread and systematic human rights and international humanitarian law violations and insisted there should be no impunity; the Council could refer the situation to the International Criminal Court.  The Union persevered towards a credible political solution through a Syrian-led transition based on the Geneva communiqué, and it welcomed the Syrian National Coalition as legitimate representatives.  The Union was the leading humanitarian donor in the conflict, with its total response, including pledged support, at nearly €800 million.  “But, money is only one aspect of the problem” — humanitarian assistance must reach all areas in need.  The conflict had already spread beyond the national borders, with “a huge potential to destabilize the entire region”.  The Council must follow all “spill-over threats”.  He was concerned that chemical weapons might have been used, and declared that their use, whether by a State or non-State actor, was abhorrent and must be unreservedly condemned.

KAZUYOSHI UMEMOTO ( Japan) joined other speakers in urging Israel to freeze settlement activities.  He appreciated Israel’s resumption of tax revenue transfers to the Palestinian Authority, but was concerned that the issue of prisoners could harm the peace process.  The entire international community needed to mobilize for substantial progress this year and he welcomed the renewed United States commitment to the peace process.  Japan would strengthen its own commitment and engagement with stakeholders, which had remained strong since the Oslo Accords.  Last year, it had provided $85 million to the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA, and it had launched social projects in East Jerusalem, Area C and Gaza to address the needs of the socially vulnerable.  The Japan-led “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” aimed at promoting regional cooperation and had made steady progress since 2006.  Japan had also hosted the Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development, with follow-up meetings planned.

He said that last week’s briefing on Syria had been “yet another occasion to listen to appalling accounts of tragic incidents taking place on the ground every day”.  Japan actively supported the Group of Friends of the Syrian People and condemned the Syrian authorities for failing to protect their own citizens.  It was “hardly realistic” to expect a smooth political transition while President Assad remained in power, he said, while underlining the need to deal with the threat posed by extremists.  He supported Mr. Brahimi’sefforts and hoped the Syrian National Coalition would consolidate its base to play a major role in a Syrian-led political transition.  He regretted the Security Council’s failure to bring about political transition, which had led to his favourable consideration of Qatar’s plan to work through the General Assembly to explore a political solution based on the Geneva communiqué.

Syrian authorities should refrain from using chemical weapons and from transferring them to non-State actors, he said, insisting that the Secretary-General’s investigation into alleged use of those weapons should be granted full and unfettered access.  “Rapid and unimpeded access” should be ensured for aid organizations and funding commitments should be met.  Japan had disbursed the $65 million it had pledged at the High-level International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, bringing its total contribution to $805 million.

AHMED AL-JARMAN ( United Arab Emirates) said that Israel’s continued settlement expansion, expulsion of Palestinians from their homes and gross violations against the Palestinians were further proof of its lack of sincerity and commitment to a Palestinian State.  He condemned all serious and grave Israeli practices that had hindered global peace efforts, and called on the international community to shoulder its full responsibility to the Charter to pressure Israel to halt its illegitimate activities and to expeditiously resume peace talks in line with the Arab Peace Initiative.  He was gravely concerned about the humanitarian situation resulting from the Gaza closures.  He called on Israel to end the blockade in accordance with Council resolution 1860 (2009), remove all Israeli checkpoints in other cities and villages and immediately release Palestinians in Israeli jails.

He was concerned by the escalating violence in Syria and the suffering inflicted on the Syrian people.  The international community must shoulder its responsibility; a political process was needed to end the bloodshed and hand over power to a transitional authority in an orderly manner.  The United Arab Emirates had provided aid to Syrian refugees in neighbouring States, and he renewed its support for Mr. Brahimi.  Concerned about nuclear proliferation in the region, he said he was disappointed that the conference on to establish a nuclear-weapon-free zone had not been held.  It should be convened without delay, he urged, calling on Israel to join the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and on Iran to cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and remove all doubts about its nuclear programme.

BASHAR JA’AFARI ( Syria) said the “overwhelming enthusiasm” for Chapter VII resolutions dissipated when it came to Israel.  Guilty of systematic, documented violations of international law and international human rights law, no Israeli official had ever been held accountable.  The desire to pass documents to the International Criminal Court evaporated when it came to Israel.  Implacably, Israel continued with exponentially increasing settlement activity, and while some regimes were subjected to sanctions, Israel had been spared them, despite the illegality of settlements and the fact that they were a clear obstacle to peace.  Some, however, considered Israel to be a “racist, thuggish State” because it flouted United Nations resolutions and had authored many racist laws since 1968.

Still, he continued, there had been no genuine calls to free Palestinian prisoners and very few called for detention camps to be opened to observers, despite the fact that many lost their lives there because of torture, medical neglect or premeditation.  Israel had introduced nuclear weapons to the Middle East, preventing the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region.  Nonetheless, it was States participating in peaceful nuclear programmes in conformity with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons that were subjected to threats and sanctions.  Many at the United Nations sought to “sweep under the rug” those paradoxical realities.  The United Nations should be renamed the “Organization of Major Influencing Countries” because the nightmare of the Palestinians had not been enough to provoke the international community to adopt earnest measures towards a fair solution.

The United Nations had failed Syrians living under Israeli occupation, and he questioned the Organization’s human rights mechanisms, which failed to bring an end to Israeli human rights violations.  There had been no international reaction to the discriminatory, racist policies of the Israeli regime, or to shots fired into Syrian territory.  Israel had also begun searching for oil in the occupied Syrian Golan.  In the area of separation between Israel and Syria, Israel was aiding terrorists, taking those injured in fighting to Israeli hospitals and then bringing them back to the same area of separation.  That not only violated international law, but also exposed the lives of United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) workers in the area.  He pointed in particular to the kidnapping of UNTSO peacekeepers, which were part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

He said it was dangerous to introduce new subjects under an agreed item.  He, therefore, would not respond to allegations made about his own country as that would “kill” the point of the meeting.  However, he noted that many countries were trying to provoke an intra-Islamic conflict in order to bury the Israel-Palestine conflict and the possibility of a two-State solution.  Representatives of those countries had confirmed that intention in their speeches, which were clearly attempts to steer attention away from the real matter at hand.  He addressed the representatives of Saudi Arabia and Qatar, who he said had made provocative comments, and urged them to address the miserable situations of their own populations, who had no political rights.  Those States were also responsible for the spread of Wahabbi and Salafist terrorism.  That had changed the very nature of Islam, which was supposed to be based on tolerance.

MOHAMMAD KHAZAEE (Iran), speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, said that regrettably, Israel had continued its colonization of Palestinian land, its blockade of Gaza, its military raids and arrest campaigns, and all forms of collective punishment of the Palestinian civilian population under its occupation, despite regional and international peace efforts.  The Movement condemned Israel’s continued unlawful detention and imprisonment of thousands of Palestinians, including children, women and numerous elected officials, under harsh, inhumane conditions that included the use of torture and all other forms of physical and psychological mistreatment  He called for the release of those political prisoners.

He also condemned Israel’s settlement activities, which had displaced thousands of Palestinians from their lands in the Jordan Valley, putting at risk thousands more.  A similar situation was transpiring in East Jerusalem, where the occupying Power had pursued a “quiet transfer” or “de-population” of the indigenous Palestinian inhabitants to ensure a Jewish majority in the city.  The Movement also condemned Israel’s ongoing violations of Lebanon’s sovereignty, and called on all parties concerned to fully implement Council resolution 1701 (2006) to end the current fragility and avoid the resurgence of hostilities.  As for the occupied Syrian Golan, he expressed concern over the recent violations of the 1974 agreement on disengagement, as those breaches would heighten the risk of tension and confrontation in the area, and he requested Israel to withdraw fully from the area to the borders of 4 June 1967, based on relevant Council resolutions.

YURIY SERGEYEV ( Ukraine) said the solution to the question of Palestine should be based on full implementation of Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), as well as the Madrid peace conference outcome and the Oslo Accords.  He rejected all terrorist acts committed for political goals.  Any and all violent or provocative acts by radical elements should stop immediately, as they only exacerbated violence.  At present, the parties had no other alternative than to overcome their differences and return to the negotiating table.  He strongly appealed to all sides to refrain from unilateral action that could further aggravate the situation or pre-empt the outcome of the final status talks.  Ukraine was determined to contribute to the search for a comprehensive Middle East peace, dependent on realization by the Palestinians of their legitimate rights.

He reaffirmed Ukraine’s strong commitment to Syria’s sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity.  The United Nations should take a leading role in resolving the crisis.  He strongly supported the efforts by Special Adviser Brahimi, and said the parties to the conflict must do their utmost to cease armed violence in order to pave the way for a Syrian-led political transition.  A national dialogue among all strata of Syrian society and the introduction of social and political reforms was the only way to resolve internal problems effectively.  He echoed call of the Secretary-General and Mr. Brahimi to avoid militarization of the conflict and to alleviate the suffering of innocent people.  Ukraine was doing its part to provide humanitarian aid to Syrian civilians, including refugees in neighbouring countries.

ASOKE KUMAR MUKERJI ( India) said that the peace process was passing through its most difficult phase in recent times.  For more than two years, the parties had not held any official meetings; efforts of the international community, including the Quartet, had failed to have an impact; and intensification of settlement activities was fast eroding the very foundation of a two-State solution.  Indeed, any meaningful political process must put an end to Israeli settlement activities.  Although Israel had recently taken some measures to allow flow of essential goods into Gaza, the blockade remained in force and was adversely affecting essential services, economic activities and infrastructure development.  To help close the Palestinian Government’s financing gap, currently estimated at $1.2 billion, he said it was important that the international community continue to support the financial needs of the Palestinian Authority.

 India had been the first non-Arab country to have recognized the State of Palestine, in 1988, he said, noting that its “bonds of friendship” with the Palestinian people had been strengthened by regular interactions in the form of political support, socioeconomic development and extended material assistance.  As in previous years, India had pledged $10 million in 2012 in budgetary support and had contributed $1 million to UNRWA.  Furthermore, India was involved in implementing projects, bilaterally and through the IBSA [ India, Brazil, South Africa] Dialogue Forum fund in the fields of information and communication technology, vocational training and school construction.  Lastly, he expressed deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Syria, stressing that only a Syrian-led process that met the legitimate aspirations of all sections of Syrian society could resolve the crisis.

OSCAR LEÓN GONZÁLEZ ( Cuba) said the main political problem in the Middle East was Israel’s systematic aggression against Palestine.  The Council must immediately adopt concrete steps to ensure Israel ended its abuses and illegal policies and practices.  Israel’s behaviour deliberately contravened United Nations resolutions and international law, threatened regional and global peace and security, and violated the human rights of an entire people, making it the major obstacle to a just, comprehensive peace in the region.  Additionally, the Council must approve without further delay Palestine’s 2011 request to be recognized as a full Member State.  Cuba supported the Palestinians’ legitimate, just struggle for self-determination and creation of their own State, with East Jerusalem as its capital.  He called on Israel to comply with international law and end its occupation of all Arab territories.

 He said his country was closely following the Syrian situation and its international impact.  Information available on it was often manipulated.  He was alarmed by the call for regime change, based on the use of force and violence.  Instead, such voices should contribute to dialogue and negotiations.  “The Security Council was not conceived as an instrument to serve some Powers in order to provoke regime change in selected countries,” he said, expressing concern about intentions to foster Council action aimed at “increasing violence, undermining a sovereign Government, generating insecurity and leading a nation to a social and humanitarian crisis of unforeseen consequences”.

Continuing, he said the Council was obligated to promote peace, not violence; to prevent destabilization, not to finance, arm and train those destabilizing; and to protect innocent people, not to manipulate them for geopolitical purposes.  He objected to manoeuvring by the NATO to convince the Council to approve aggression in Syria.  He also rejected the complicity of big media to distort reality.  Cuba condemned violent acts against innocent civilians in Syria, and rejected any attempt to use protection of civilians as a pretext for foreign direct or indirect intervention.  He reaffirmed Syrian people’s right to self-determination and sovereignty.

SHAVENDRA SILVA ( Sri Lanka) stressed the urgency to end the oppression of Palestinians on their own land.  Settlement activities contravened the Fourth Geneva Convention and contributed to the recurrence of violence in the region.  There had been repeated calls to freeze such activity, which had been condemned as illegal by the Security Council, General Assembly, Human Rights Council and the International Court of Justice.  Ending those practices was essential to improve the situation on the ground and to build confidence.  Meanwhile, 80 per cent of families in Gaza depended on humanitarian aid for their survival, owing to the blockade.  He urged it to be lifted, per resolution 1860 (2009).

 He said that both parties must create the environment to facilitate peace.  In that connection, there was an urgent need for mutual confidence-building measures in support of efforts to resume substantive negotiations.  Israel must protect Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and cease actions that contravened international law.  Indiscriminate attacks against Israeli civilians, including rocket fire from Gaza, only widened the gap between the parties.  Continued engagement was important to find a just and durable solution, and Sri Lanka supported the implementation of United Nations resolutions on the inalienable rights of Palestinians and achievement of a two-State solution on the basis of pre-1967 borders.  He was confident that Palestinian reconciliation efforts would continue, and he supported Palestine’s application for full United Nations membership.

MOHAMED KHALED KHIARI ( Tunisia) said peace efforts were in a stalemate with limited visible hope for the impasse being broken.  He placed full responsibility at Israel’s door.  Among other things, its continued annexation was a policy of fait accompli to separate East Jerusalem from the surrounding West Bank.  He denounced that policy along with increased settlement activity and escalating violence against Islamic and Christian places of worship.  Prisoner abuse also gravely breached human rights and international humanitarian law.  A firm and urgent move by the international community was needed to avert the explosive tension hanging over the area.  Israel’s arbitrary arrests of women and children fuelled those tensions.

He called for the resumption of negotiations on a fair and honest basis, saying that would require an end to such practices, including addressing the issue of Palestinian prisoners and the Gaza blockade.  Those were the basic requirements.  A durable peace could only be realized with Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan.  There must be a return to pre-1967 borders for an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

 Syria, he said, was also worrying, including because of the situation’s potentially enormous regional consequences, especially on the humanitarian front.  He supported the aspirations of the Syrian people in achieving democracy and emphasized the need for an expedited political solution to put an end to a crisis that could no longer be accepted.  He also stressed the importance of preserving Syria’s sovereignty and territorial unity.

GEIR PEDERSEN ( Norway) said the paralysis in the Council was worsening the catastrophicsituation in Syria, and he urged it to take a clear, unanimous stand against the continuing gross violations of international humanitarian law.  He urged all countries to stop the flow of weapons to Syria, adding that a political solution was the only way to save the Syrian people from further suffering, for which the regime bore primary responsibility.  The Syrian Government must start transferring executive power, with a view to enabling a meaningful political transition to a pluralistic, representative Syria.  Opposition groups must contribute to a meaningful political dialogue and negotiate within the framework of the Geneva communiqué.  The Council must find a way to promote a political transition based on that text, and support Mr. Brahimi’s work.  At present, the Coalition was the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.  The litmus test was whether the international community would succeed in making the situation better for all Syrians, ensuring that the rights of minorities were protected.

He called on Syria’s Government and the opposition groups to respect international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights and to desist from the despicable practice of gender-based violence.  Those responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes must be held to account.  Since March 2011, Norway had provided $75 million in humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees and those suffering inside Syria.

Turning to the Middle East peace process, he said he was encouraged by the recent visits by United States’ leaders to re-engage the parties.  He fully supported the call for an immediate return to the negotiating table.  On 19 March, Norway had chaired the spring meeting of the donor support group for Palestine, in Brussels.  To fully succeed, that State-building exercise must be accompanied by meaningful steps towards a two-State solution.  For the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority to operate more sustainably, Israel must collect and transfer regular and predictable taxes and customs.  He also called for freedom of movement and access in the West Bank, higher levels of Palestinian exports to Israel, better access for Palestinians to natural resources in Area C, normalization of the Gaza situation, and continued reform of the Palestinian Authority.

JORGE VALERO BRICEÑO ( Venezuela) said the recurrent practices of colonialists and imperialists fragmented national States, fuelled ethnic religious and cultural differences, mercenary activities and terrorism.  Such interventions disrupted peace and stability in the Middle East.  He expressed concern over Israel’s warmongering actions against the Palestinians.  The Venezuelan people admired the Palestinian people’s endurance and supported Palestine’s right to be a full United Nations Member State.  He demanded that Israel withdraw to pre-1967 borders, in line with resolution 242 (1967).  He “claimed” the right of Palestinians to have East Jerusalem as their capital and the return of refugees to their homeland.  He demanded the release of Palestinian prisoners and an end to the occupation of the Syrian Golan.  Those who had committed crimes covered by the Rome Statute must pay for them.  He added that it was scandalous that Palestinians required special permits to enter and move within their own territory.

He demanded respect for Syria, adding that political dialogue between the Syrian authorities and the opposition was the only way to settle that conflict.  He supported Mr. Brahimi’s efforts and expressed concern over the intention to diminish or manipulate the importance of mediation and dialogue as the way to achieve peace, while irresponsibly promoting war, in an effort to divide a sovereign State.  He regretted that arms were being supplied from abroad to groups involved in terrorist activities and which refused to engage in political dialogue.  The interference of foreign Powers was a clear violation of Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence.  Diplomatic recognition at the United Nations of “irregular” groups outside the Syrian context and which resorted to violence and terrorism to achieve political aims was an undesirable precedent.  A negotiated solution among the Syrians themselves was indispensable, urgent and necessary.

SAIFUL AZAM MARTINUS ABDULLAH ( Malaysia), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement and the OIC, said he was “deeply disturbed” by the treatment of the thousands of Palestinian prisoners and detainees under unlawful detention by the occupying Power, who had made a “mockery of the rule of law again and again” by declaring itself the only democracy in the Middle East.  He condemned Israel’s disproportionate use of violence against peaceful protestors, which had resulted in the deaths of several teenagers.  Also strongly condemning Israel’s ongoing settlement activities, he said, “we should not fool ourselves” into believing that Israeli settlers were “innocently exploring untaken plots of land and untapped resources, seeking a brighter and more virtuous future”.

The “harsh reality”, he said, was that those illegal settlers had consistently engaged in violence and harassment towards Palestinians, and stolen precious resources, such as olive trees and water.  The presence of arms in many settler homes was deeply disturbing and represented “another armed front” in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.  In East Jerusalem, where “Judaization” measures were exposing the “true nature” of Israel’s illegal acts, Palestinian homes were being demolished and in their place, Israeli houses would soon be erected.  That was “structural, if not ethnic, cleansing”.  Regarding the Gaza blockade, he reiterated that the occupying Power was “literally taking away the building blocks” of the peace process and “starving the population to death”.  In Syria, he believed that a political solution was still achievable.

GRETA GUNNARSDOTTIR ( Iceland) said that in the case of Syria and the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Council had not lived up to its responsibility.  She supported the sentiments expressed by United Nations agency heads in the 15 April article in The New York Times, in which they demanded that the Council use its influence to save the Syrian people and the region from disaster.  The Council did not have the luxury to wait while Syria was destroyed before the eyes of the world.  A political solution must be found.  Of the 500,000  Palestine refugees in Syria, 400,000 were in need of humanitarian aid, 200,000 were internally displaced and 40,000 had fled to Lebanon where the situation in the Palestinian camps was very difficult.  That turn of events should be a wake-up call for the international community on the urgency of finding a just, lasting solution to the plight of Palestine refugees.  The Syrian civil war had also drawn attention to the unresolved question of the occupied Syrian Golan, which required a Council action plan in the light of recent events on the ground.

She also called attention to the increasing number of deaths and injuries caused by the Israeli forces and continued settler violence.  She highlighted the continued construction of illegal settlements and the high number of arrests, interrogations and ill treatment by Israel of Palestinian children.  She urged the Palestinians to reinforce their reconciliation efforts, calling on the Council to take a more active role in solving the Israel-Palestine conflict.  It should visit the State of Palestine, reaffirm the illegality of the settlements, and accept the State of Palestine’s application for full United Nations membership in light of the Organization’s overwhelming support for the Palestinian’s right to self-determination.  She reiterated Iceland’s call to the Council to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court and to reach a common position on how to address the civil war and its humanitarian consequences.

DESRA PERCAYA ( Indonesia), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement and the OIC, expressed concern at the “absence of progress” in the conflict.  Attempts to resume dialogue had failed so far, but he was encouraged by recent efforts to revive the path of peace.  He “fervently supported” a two-State solution, but Israeli policies, especially continued settlement activity, remained an “intractable obstacle”.  Settlement compounded the problem of fragmentation and signalled a complete lack of commitment to engaging the Palestinians in fair and realistic negotiations.  The humanitarian situation in Gaza remained debilitating, owing to Israel’s blockade, and he urged it to stop “ignoring and defying relevant United Nations resolutions and international law”, which it had done “without repercussion or consequence”.

He said he was discouraged that there had only been one positive development for the Palestinian cause in the preceding year, namely its admission to the United Nations as a non-member observer State, following which, Israel had taken “extreme retaliatory measures”.  The detention and imprisonment of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, was also troubling and another example of Israel’s “disregard for international law”.  Efforts must be consolidated to halt those violations.  The humanitarian situation in Syria had evolved without a proper international response, including by the Council.  Regional stability was threatened, and Council members must put aside their differences to find the best way to halt the violence and initiate a political process leading to a solution to the conflict in line with the aspirations of the Syrian people.

MANIEMAGEN GOVENDER (South Africa), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, said that today’s debate had been a “talk shop” where Member States restated their known positions, while the Palestinian people continued to suffer.  He expressed hope that Israel’s new coalition Government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would remove all obstacles to the peace process, specifically ceasing settlement construction, which remained a “stumbling block” to peace.  He was concerned that Israel continued to confiscate Palestinian Territory and isolate East Jerusalem from other Palestinian cities, thereby threatening the viability of a two-State solution.  He condemned all acts of violence “regardless of where it comes from” and expressed particular concern at the uprooting of olive trees and the demolition of Palestinian homes, churches and mosques.

Recalling Israel’s recent announcement to restart the transfer of withheld funds, he said that, aside from violating the Oslo Accords, the withdrawal of those funds was immoral and illegal, and undermined the Palestinian Authority.  He urged Israel to lift all restrictions on trade and any other barriers to economic development, as only sustained economic growth could address the needs of the Palestinian people and lift them out of poverty.  Expressing deep concern over the illegal detention of Palestinians in Israeli jails, he deplored the death of MaysaraAbu Hamdiyeh, which could have been avoided had it not been for the neglect of Israeli authorities.  Citing the UNICEF report, he expressed concern at the human rights violations of Palestinian children and their psychological effects.  He called for an end to the illegal and “man-made” blockade of Gaza and for increased international efforts to alleviate the plight of the Palestinian people.  The future of Palestine was highly dependent on the unity of its people, and he implored Hamas and Fatah to work together to consolidate Palestinian gains.

CHARLES T. NTWAAGAE ( Botswana), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, said the “Middle East of yester year is completely different from the Middle East we know now”.  The region had undergone rapid socioeconomic and cultural transition as part of globalization.  Regarding Syria, he expressed concern about the continued perpetration of violence and the increasingly deteriorating humanitarian situation, which now had the potential to turn into a “humanitarian catastrophe”.  He strongly condemned the attacks perpetuated against innocent civilians, in particular, women and children, and called on the Security Council to “live up” to its obligations.  “How long will we remain bystanders when fellow human beings continue to be subjected to indignity and massacred by the very people who purport to have their interests at heart?”, he asked.

On the question of Palestine, he said Botswana continued to support a two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living “side by side” in peace as two sovereign States.  He hoped they would not only share a border, but also a common desire for peace, security and prosperity.  Hence, it was imperative that both parties respect all relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.  He also encouraged them to “get down” to the negotiating table, and specifically urged Israel to cease construction of settlements and enable the negotiation process to proceed free of intimidation and pressure.

YAŞAR HALIT ÇEVIK (Turkey) said that the Middle East had recently experienced a significant period of transition and change, at the heart of which lay the Palestinian situation, which continued to “poison peace” in the region.  He reiterated his support for a two-State solution based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as the capital.  The revival of the peace process had become increasingly crucial.  In that regard, he appreciated the renewed engagement of the United States’ Administration.  However, Israel’s illegal settlement activities presented serious obstacles to the resumption of negotiations.  The treatment of Palestinian prisoners also threatened to forestall the peace process.  The illegal blockade of Gaza was “not sustainable” and he expected Israel to lift arbitrary border closings, which were counter productive to what “we are trying to achieve”.

 Concerning Syria, he said the situation there was fast becoming the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with more than 70,000 people dead, 1.3 million refugees, 4.5 million people displaced and 6 million people in need of urgent aid.  The international community had a “moral obligation” to support the Syrian people.  The average number of daily crossings to neighbouring countries had reached 8,000; it was not realistic to expect countries in the region to deal with that.  It was timely to begin a discussion and explore viable options for Syrians who wanted to leave their country.  The Syrian National Coalition had a vision of a democratic Syria, which was encouraging only if the international community united behind it.

YOUSEF LARAM ( Qatar) said the continued failure of the peace process was due to the international community’s failure to deal with its root causes.  However, a window of opportunity remained open.  Arab countries were keen on the Arab Peace Initiative, which had been on the table for over a decade, but intensified efforts were needed to implement it.  Participants at the Arab League Summit in Doha had agreed to form a ministerial committee, headed by Qatar’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.  It was critical to put pressure on Israel, especially in connection with its settlement policies.  It should also be held to its agreements on prisoners.

He said that the situation in Syria was deteriorating and the Government was losing control on the ground, but it nevertheless insisted on remaining in power.  It was trying to impose a military solution on its people, using excessive force and perpetrating massacres against them, thereby ignoring its legal and moral responsibilities to protect them.  Government forces had targeted civilians and holy areas, along with refugees, schools, places of worship and historical and archaeological buildings.  The regime had lost its legitimacy and was committing crimes against humanity — which meant, he stressed, “against us all” — and that “should be a source of shame on the human conscience”.  The most dangerous reports were those pointing to the use of chemical weapons.  The fact-finding committee would be important and its investigations could have significant repercussions.

United Nations humanitarian officials had described Syria as the worst humanitarian crisis globally, he said, grateful for pledges made by Governments, but concerned that the situation was deteriorating faster than the international community’s ability to respond.  The crisis was spreading and threatening the region as a whole, and the longer the international community remained reluctant to support the Syrian people, the harder it would become to tackle the problem.  He refuted the Syrian “lie” that the Government’s presence was the only guarantee of safety for minorities.  The opposite was true; Syrian society was, in fact, threatened by the regime.

He said that the Arab League had exerted efforts to resolve that urgent crisis, and expressed support for unifying the Syrian opposition in the National Coalition.  The United Nations should support the League’s efforts, under the Charter’s Chapter VIII, in its capacity as the regional organization charged with addressing the Syria crisis.  Qatar had submitted a draft resolution to the General Assembly, which sought a political solution to the crisis, but it remained of the utmost importance that Security Council was unified and active.  Failure to take a position by the Security Council, as well as continued failure to deal with the Palestinian cause, had dangerous repercussions for the Middle East as a whole.

MARÍA RUBIALES DE CHAMORRO ( Nicaragua), endorsing the statement of the Non-Aligned Movement, said it was more important than ever to rectify the injustice of the occupation.  She had supported the Assembly resolution to upgrade Palestine’s status, as, since the 1980s, Nicaragua had fully recognized Palestine as a State.  It was a lack of political will on the part of Council members that had prevented Palestine from assuming full United Nations membership.  The veto remained the main obstacle to peace and security, and the Council should consider favourably that request.  She looked forward to sitting alongside Palestine when it became the 194^th Member State.  As a reprisal for Palestine’s success at the General Assembly, Israel had stepped up its occupation policies, tightening the blockade, advancing settlement construction and refusing to remove existing ones.  It continued to impose conditions on negotiations while trying to alter the geography and demography of the Palestinian State.

She said that Israel also occupied Lebanese and Syrian territory, adding that peace should include all countries.  Palestinian refugees had the right to return to their home country, and Israel should comply with all resolutions in that regard.  She expressed solidarity with prisoners, especially the women and children who suffered inhumane treatment, and called for the immediate release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners.  It was time to end the double standards applied by some permanent Council members.  In Syria, instead of promoting dialogue, they were promoting violence by helping to militarize the conflict by arming extremist groups to achieve regime change.  The same members  delayed efforts to achieve a Palestinian State, despite the fact that such recognition would lead to the just and lasting peace so vitally needed in the Middle East.

JAMAL ALROWAIEI ( Bahrain) reaffirmed his strong position on the Israel-Palestine issue, saying efforts to achieve peace required that East Jerusalem was the capital of any Palestinian State.  He demanded the lifting of the illegal “siege” of Gaza, arguing that that would ease human suffering.  A new approach to the peace process was needed to ensure achievement of a just and comprehensive peace in the region.  Israel was not fulfilling its obligations; in particular, settlement activity must end.  Israel should also withdraw from all territories it occupied in 1967 to allow for the peaceful establishment of an independent Palestine.  The right of return for refugees should also be guaranteed.

 He hailed the Arab Peace Initiative as the best route to Middle East peace, and he reaffirmed his call for Israel to reverse its settlement policy, which was the main impediment to peace.  The Security Council and the Quartet should exert all efforts to ensure that the international community exited the historical crisis in a manner that ensured preservation of international peace and security.

XAVIER LASSO MENDOZA (Ecuador), associating with the Non-Aligned Movement, said it was important to struggle for a just international system, but he wondered what role the United Nations should play in that system.  It was essential “now more than ever” to ensure that international law was implemented and that illegal activities were prevented.  Last November, 138 Member States had voted in favour of Palestinian statehood, a feat that represented progress in the efforts for peace and enhanced Palestine’s ability to meet its own political needs.  Yet, for far too long, Israel’s violations of international law had been met with “immunity” and “impunity”.  Rather than recognize Palestine as United Nations Observer State, the Israeli Government continued its efforts in the occupied West Bank.

 Furthermore, the demolition of houses had provoked the displacement of Palestinians to neighbouring countries, undermining the peace process in the region.  He condemned Israel’s withholding of revenue of the Palestinian Authority, which went against the Oslo Accords.  International law must be applicable to all States.  He called on the Security Council to “leave this passive attitude” of Israel’s abuses behind because it had the danger of becoming complicit.  He called on the international community to support the request of Palestine to be recognized as a full-fledged Member State in the United Nations, based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Office of the Press Secretary

America’s immigration system is broken. Too many employers game the system by hiring undocumented workers and there are 11 million people living in the shadows. Neither is good for the economy or the country.

It is time to act to fix the broken immigration system in a way that requires responsibility from everyone —both from the workers here illegally and those who hire them—and guarantees that everyone is playing by the same rules.

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Illinois will not require applicants to be fingerprinted, for fear that would discourage immigrants from applying... starting in October it will allow an estimated 250,000 people unlawfully residing in the state to apply for a three-year temporary driver's license and require them to get training and insurance...The licenses will be like those already issued to certain foreign-born, legal visitors. Applicants will be photographed, and their photo will be entered into the state's facial recognition database — like the rest of Illinois' licensed drivers— to verify their identity.

Full Video Transcript 

Del Sol High School
Las Vegas, Nevada

11:40 A.M. PST

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you! (Applause.) Thank you! Thank you so much. (Applause.) It is good to be back in Las Vegas! (Applause.) And it is good to be among so many good friends.

Let me start off by thanking everybody at Del Sol High School for hosting us. (Applause.) Go Dragons! Let me especially thank your outstanding principal, Lisa Primas. (Applause.)

There are all kinds of notable guests here, but I just want to mention a few. First of all, our outstanding Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, is here. (Applause.) Our wonderful Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar. (Applause.) Former Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis. (Applause.) Two of the outstanding members of the congressional delegation from Nevada, Steve Horsford and Dina Titus. (Applause.) Your own mayor, Carolyn Goodman. (Applause.)

But we also have some mayors that flew in because they know how important the issue we’re going to talk about today is. Marie Lopez Rogers from Avondale, Arizona. (Applause.) Kasim Reed from Atlanta, Georgia. (Applause.) Greg Stanton from Phoenix, Arizona. (Applause.) And Ashley Swearengin from Fresno, California. (Applause.)

And all of you are here, as well as some of the top labor leaders in the country. And we are just so grateful. Some outstanding business leaders are here as well. And of course, we’ve got wonderful students here, so I could not be prouder of our students. (Applause.)

Now, those of you have a seat, feel free to take a seat. I don’t mind.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: I love you, Mr. President!

THE PRESIDENT: I love you back. (Applause.)

Now, last week, I had the honor of being sworn in for a second term as President of the United States. (Applause.) And during my inaugural address, I talked about how making progress on the defining challenges of our time doesn’t require us to settle every debate or ignore every difference that we may have, but it does require us to find common ground and move forward in common purpose. It requires us to act.

I know that some issues will be harder to lift than others. Some debates will be more contentious. That’s to be expected. But the reason I came here today is because of a challenge where the differences are dwindling; where a broad consensus is emerging; and where a call for action can now be heard coming from all across America. I’m here today because the time has come for common-sense, comprehensive immigration reform. (Applause.) The time is now. Now is the time. Now is the time. Now is the time.

AUDIENCE: Sí se puede! Sí se puede!

THE PRESIDENT: Now is the time.

I’m here because most Americans agree that it’s time to fix a system that’s been broken for way too long. I’m here because business leaders, faith leaders, labor leaders, law enforcement, and leaders from both parties are coming together to say now is the time to find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as the land of opportunity. Now is the time to do this so we can strengthen our economy and strengthen our country’s future.

Think about it -- we define ourselves as a nation of immigrants. That’s who we are -- in our bones. The promise we see in those who come here from every corner of the globe, that’s always been one of our greatest strengths. It keeps our workforce young. It keeps our country on the cutting edge. And it’s helped build the greatest economic engine the world has ever known.

After all, immigrants helped start businesses like Google and Yahoo!. They created entire new industries that, in turn, created new jobs and new prosperity for our citizens. In recent years, one in four high-tech startups in America were founded by immigrants. One in four new small business owners were immigrants, including right here in Nevada -- folks who came here seeking opportunity and now want to share that opportunity with other Americans.

But we all know that today, we have an immigration system that’s out of date and badly broken; a system that’s holding us back instead of helping us grow our economy and strengthen our middle class.

Right now, we have 11 million undocumented immigrants in America; 11 million men and women from all over the world who live their lives in the shadows. Yes, they broke the rules. They crossed the border illegally. Maybe they overstayed their visas. Those are facts. Nobody disputes them. But these 11 million men and women are now here. Many of them have been here for years. And the overwhelming majority of these individuals aren’t looking for any trouble. They’re contributing members of the community. They're looking out for their families. They're looking out for their neighbors. They're woven into the fabric of our lives.

Every day, like the rest of us, they go out and try to earn a living. Often they do that in a shadow economy -- a place where employers may offer them less than the minimum wage or make them work overtime without extra pay. And when that happens, it’s not just bad for them, it’s bad for the entire economy. Because all the businesses that are trying to do the right thing -- that are hiring people legally, paying a decent wage, following the rules -- they’re the ones who suffer. They've got to compete against companies that are breaking the rules. And the wages and working conditions of American workers are threatened, too.

So if we're truly committed to strengthening our middle class and providing more ladders of opportunity to those who are willing to work hard to make it into the middle class, we've got to fix the system.

We have to make sure that every business and every worker in America is playing by the same set of rules. We have to bring this shadow economy into the light so that everybody is held accountable -- businesses for who they hire, and immigrants for getting on the right side of the law. That’s common sense. And that’s why we need comprehensive immigration reform. (Applause.)

There’s another economic reason why we need reform. It’s not just about the folks who come here illegally and have the effect they have on our economy. It’s also about the folks who try to come here legally but have a hard time doing so, and the effect that has on our economy.

Right now, there are brilliant students from all over the world sitting in classrooms at our top universities. They’re earning degrees in the fields of the future, like engineering and computer science. But once they finish school, once they earn that diploma, there’s a good chance they’ll have to leave our country. Think about that.

Intel was started with the help of an immigrant who studied here and then stayed here. Instagram was started with the help of an immigrant who studied here and then stayed here. Right now in one of those classrooms, there’s a student wrestling with how to turn their big idea -- their Intel or Instagram -- into a big business. We’re giving them all the skills they need to figure that out, but then we’re going to turn around and tell them to start that business and create those jobs in China or India or Mexico or someplace else? That’s not how you grow new industries in America. That’s how you give new industries to our competitors. That’s why we need comprehensive immigration reform. (Applause.)

Now, during my first term, we took steps to try and patch up some of the worst cracks in the system.

First, we strengthened security at the borders so that we could finally stem the tide of illegal immigrants. We put more boots on the ground on the southern border than at any time in our history. And today, illegal crossings are down nearly 80 percent from their peak in 2000. (Applause.)

Second, we focused our enforcement efforts on criminals who are here illegally and who endanger our communities. And today, deportations of criminals is at its highest level ever. (Applause.)

And third, we took up the cause of the DREAMers -- (applause) -- the young people who were brought to this country as children, young people who have grown up here, built their lives here, have futures here. We said that if you’re able to meet some basic criteria like pursuing an education, then we’ll consider offering you the chance to come out of the shadows so that you can live here and work here legally, so that you can finally have the dignity of knowing you belong.

But because this change isn’t permanent, we need Congress to act -- and not just on the DREAM Act. We need Congress to act on a comprehensive approach that finally deals with the 11 million undocumented immigrants who are in the country right now. That's what we need. (Applause.)

Now, the good news is that for the first time in many years, Republicans and Democrats seem ready to tackle this problem together. (Applause.) Members of both parties, in both chambers, are actively working on a solution. Yesterday, a bipartisan group of senators announced their principles for comprehensive immigration reform, which are very much in line with the principles I’ve proposed and campaigned on for the last few years. So at this moment, it looks like there’s a genuine desire to get this done soon, and that’s very encouraging.

But this time, action must follow. (Applause.) We can't allow immigration reform to get bogged down in an endless debate. We've been debating this a very long time. So it's not as if we don't know technically what needs to get done. As a consequence, to help move this process along, today I’m laying out my ideas for immigration reform. And my hope is that this provides some key markers to members of Congress as they craft a bill, because the ideas I’m proposing have traditionally been supported by both Democrats like Ted Kennedy and Republicans like President George W. Bush. You don't get that matchup very often. (Laughter.) So we know where the consensus should be.

Now, of course, there will be rigorous debate about many of the details, and every stakeholder should engage in real give and take in the process. But it’s important for us to recognize that the foundation for bipartisan action is already in place. And if Congress is unable to move forward in a timely fashion, I will send up a bill based on my proposal and insist that they vote on it right away. (Applause.)

So the principles are pretty straightforward. There are a lot of details behind it. We're going to hand out a bunch of paper so that everybody will know exactly what we're talking about. But the principles are pretty straightforward.

First, I believe we need to stay focused on enforcement. That means continuing to strengthen security at our borders. It means cracking down more forcefully on businesses that knowingly hire undocumented workers. To be fair, most businesses want to do the right thing, but a lot of them have a hard time figuring out who’s here legally, who’s not. So we need to implement a national system that allows businesses to quickly and accurately verify someone’s employment status. And if they still knowingly hire undocumented workers, then we need to ramp up the penalties.

Second, we have to deal with the 11 million individuals who are here illegally. We all agree that these men and women should have to earn their way to citizenship. But for comprehensive immigration reform to work, it must be clear from the outset that there is a pathway to citizenship. (Applause.)

We’ve got to lay out a path -- a process that includes passing a background check, paying taxes, paying a penalty, learning English, and then going to the back of the line, behind all the folks who are trying to come here legally. That's only fair, right? (Applause.)

So that means it won’t be a quick process but it will be a fair process. And it will lift these individuals out of the shadows and give them a chance to earn their way to a green card and eventually to citizenship. (Applause.)

And the third principle is we’ve got to bring our legal immigration system into the 21st century because it no longer reflects the realities of our time. (Applause.) For example, if you are a citizen, you shouldn’t have to wait years before your family is able to join you in America. You shouldn't have to wait years. (Applause.)

If you’re a foreign student who wants to pursue a career in science or technology, or a foreign entrepreneur who wants to start a business with the backing of American investors, we should help you do that here. Because if you succeed, you’ll create American businesses and American jobs. You’ll help us grow our economy. You’ll help us strengthen our middle class.

So that’s what comprehensive immigration reform looks like: smarter enforcement; a pathway to earned citizenship; improvements in the legal immigration system so that we continue to be a magnet for the best and the brightest all around the world. It’s pretty straightforward.

The question now is simple: Do we have the resolve as a people, as a country, as a government to finally put this issue behind us? I believe that we do. I believe that we do. (Applause.) I believe we are finally at a moment where comprehensive immigration reform is within our grasp.

But I promise you this: The closer we get, the more emotional this debate is going to become. Immigration has always been an issue that enflames passions. That’s not surprising. There are few things that are more important to us as a society than who gets to come here and call our country home; who gets the privilege of becoming a citizen of the United States of America. That's a big deal.

When we talk about that in the abstract, it’s easy sometimes for the discussion to take on a feeling of “us” versus “them.” And when that happens, a lot of folks forget that most of “us” used to be “them.” We forget that. (Applause.)

It’s really important for us to remember our history. Unless you’re one of the first Americans, a Native American, you came from someplace else. Somebody brought you. (Applause.)

Ken Salazar, he’s of Mexican American descent, but he points that his family has been living where he lives for 400 years, so he didn't immigrate anywhere. (Laughter.)

The Irish who left behind a land of famine. The Germans who fled persecution. The Scandinavians who arrived eager to pioneer out west. The Polish. The Russians. The Italians. The Chinese. The Japanese. The West Indians. The huddled masses who came through Ellis Island on one coast and Angel Island on the other. (Applause.) All those folks, before they were “us,” they were “them.”

And when each new wave of immigrants arrived, they faced resistance from those who were already here. They faced hardship. They faced racism. They faced ridicule. But over time, as they went about their daily lives, as they earned a living, as they raised a family, as they built a community, as their kids went to school here, they did their part to build a nation.

They were the Einsteins and the Carnegies. But they were also the millions of women and men whose names history may not remember, but whose actions helped make us who we are; who built this country hand by hand, brick by brick. (Applause.) They all came here knowing that what makes somebody an American is not just blood or birth, but allegiance to our founding principles and the faith in the idea that anyone from anywhere can write the next great chapter of our story.

And that’s still true today. Just ask Alan Aleman. Alan is here this afternoon -- where is Alan? He's around here -- there he is right here. (Applause.) Alan was born in Mexico. (Applause.) He was brought to this country by his parents when he was a child. Growing up, Alan went to an American school, pledged allegiance to the American flag, felt American in every way -- and he was, except for one: on paper.

In high school, Alan watched his friends come of age -- driving around town with their new licenses, earning some extra cash from their summer jobs at the mall. He knew he couldn’t do those things. But it didn’t matter that much. What mattered to Alan was earning an education so that he could live up to his God-given potential.

Last year, when Alan heard the news that we were going to offer a chance for folks like him to emerge from the shadows -- even if it's just for two years at a time -- he was one of the first to sign up. And a few months ago he was one of the first people in Nevada to get approved. (Applause.) In that moment, Alan said, “I felt the fear vanish. I felt accepted.”

So today, Alan is in his second year at the College of Southern Nevada. (Applause.) Alan is studying to become a doctor. (Applause.) He hopes to join the Air Force. He’s working hard every single day to build a better life for himself and his family. And all he wants is the opportunity to do his part to build a better America. (Applause.)

So in the coming weeks, as the idea of reform becomes more real and the debate becomes more heated, and there are folks who are trying to pull this thing apart, remember Alan and all those who share the same hopes and the same dreams. Remember that this is not just a debate about policy. It’s about people. It’s about men and women and young people who want nothing more than the chance to earn their way into the American story.

Throughout our history, that has only made our nation stronger. And it’s how we will make sure that this century is the same as the last: an American century welcoming of everybody who aspires to do something more, and who is willing to work hard to do it, and is willing to pledge that allegiance to our flag.

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)

END
12:05 P.M. PST

The participants from 85 countries, including around 40 State delegations, 150 business enterprises and 170 civil society organisations, will join the global dialogue at the United Nations first annual Forum on Business and Human Rights.

“The first Forum on Business and Human Rights has already exceeded all expectations. The much higher than anticipated turnout indicates the interest from all stakeholders in the business and human rights agenda,” said Puvan Selvanathan, who currently heads the five-strong UN Group of experts tasked with guiding the event.

The Forum is designed to promote the implementation of the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights*, a set of internationally accepted principles which provide a global standard for preventing and addressing the risk of negative human rights impacts linked to business activity.

The Guiding Principles outline what States and business enterprises should do in practice to prevent and address impacts and to ensure access to effective remedies for those whose rights have been adversely affected by business activity.

“They also give businesses predictability in what is expected of them, and provide other stakeholders, including civil society and investors, the tools to measure progress where it matters most – in the daily lives of people,” said John Ruggie, the former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on the issue, who led the work to develop the Principles. Professor Ruggie was appointed the first chairperson of the Forum. “The work toward full implementation of the UN Guiding Principles for business and human rights has only just begun.”

The UN Forum on Business and Human Rights will bring together, among others, representatives for multinational corporations in the areas of mining, oil and energy, chemicals, banking and finance, electronics and textile and garments, with persons affected by their activities.

“This first global gathering on businesses and human rights will be an opportunity for all stakeholders to discuss challenges in the implementation of the Guiding Principles in particular sectors, in operational environments and in relation to specific rights and groups, and to identify good practices and opportunities for dialogue and cooperation toward solutions,” Mr. Selvanathan said.

The UN Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises will hold a press conferenceon Tuesday 4 December at 2:30 pm, Press Room 3, at Palais des Nation, the UN Headquarters in Geneva.

The Working Group on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and Other Business Enterprises was established by the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2011. The five members are Mr. Michael Addo, Ms. Alexandra Guáqueta, Ms. Margaret Jungk, Mr. Puvan Selvanathan (current Chairperson-Rapporteur) and Mr. Pavel Sulyandziga. The Working Group is independent from any government or organization. It reports to the Human Rights Council and to the UN General Assembly.
Learn more, visit: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Business/Pages/WGHRandtransnationalcorporationsandotherbusiness.aspx

(*) Read the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Business/Pages/Tools.aspx

Learn more about the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights: http://www-stage.lan.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Business/Pages/ForumonBusinessandHR2012.aspx

Watch the Hangout on the Forum on Business and Human Rights: http://youtu.be/QLQ8-Lft870

For additional information and media requests, please contact John E. Grova (+ 41 79 444 4537 / wg-business@ohchr.org / bhrconsultant@ohchr.org)

For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)

UN Human Rights, follow us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unitednationshumanrights
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UNrightswire
Google+gplus.to/unitednationshumanrights
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Check the Universal Human Rights Index: http://uhri.ohchr.org/en

Related News

Bangladesh factory fire: brands accused of criminal negligence.

Sunday, 25 November 2012 13:39

The Clean Clothes Campaign, along with trade unions and labour rights organisations in Bangladesh and around the world is calling for immediate action from international brands following yesterday's fire in Dhaka Bangladesh, which cost the lives over one hundred garment workers.

The killed and injured workers were producing garments for international clothing brands when their factory, Tazreen Fashions, went up in flames. According to their website Tazreen produced for a host of well known brand names including C&A, Carrefour, KIK and Walmart. The Clean Clothes Campaign believes that international brands have shown ongoing negligence in failing to address the safety issues highlighted by previous fires, and that this leaves them with responsibility for yet another tragic loss of life.

Many of the workers jumped to their deaths trying to escape from the six story building, others, unable to escape the blaze, were burned alive. The death toll continues to rise as rescue workers plough through the remains of the devastated factory. One fire fighter at the scene reported that there wasn't a single fire exit on the outside of the factory. First reports suggest the fire was started by an electrical short circuit. The cause of over 80% of all factory fires in Bangladesh are due to faulty wiring.

"These brands have known for years that many of the factories they choose to work with are death traps. Their failure to take action amounts to criminal negligence"says Ineke Zeldenrust from the Clean Clothes Campaign.

Together with our partners in Bangladesh the CCC is calling call for an independent and transparent investigation into the causes of the fire, for full and fair compensation to be paid to the victims and their families and importantly concrete action from all parties involved to prevent future tragedies.

"As we yet again mourn the loss of scores of garment workers in Bangladesh, we demand that brands step up their game. Tragedy after tragedy underlines our belief that simple, cosmetic changes to existing programmes simply aren't enough. Action needs to be taken to address the root causes of these fires”said Ms Zeldenrust.

The CCC, together with local and global unions and labour rights organisations has developed a sector-wide program for action that includes an programme of independent and transparent inspections, an obligatory upgrading of the buildings supplying participating brands, a review of all existing laws and safety regulations, a commitment to pay prices that can cover the costs involved and the direct involvement of trade unions in worker training on health and safety. The Clean Clothes campaign is now renewing its demand for brands need to sign on immediately.

The employers and government of Bangladesh must also take their share of responsibility. The government must carry out an immediate investigation of the causes of the fire and prosecute those whose negligence has caused the death of these women and men. It must also invest in a country-wide programme of inspections to ensure that the buildings currently in use a fit for purpose and the buildings and wiring meet safety standards. All factory owners in Bangladesh must immediately review the safety procedures in place at their factories, carry out checks on he building and electrical safety and, most importantly, start working with trade unions to train their workers on safety procedures and allow space for workers to voice their concerns.

The Clean Campaign will continue to work with out partners on the ground to establish the full facts of the case and to push for justice for those affected by this terrible tragedy. In the meantime we call on all those with a stake in Bangladesh garment industry to move on from mere hand wringing and towards meaningful and concrete action to prevent such a horrific loss of life from happening in the future.

''You can safely invest in Bangladesh'' from bilidikit on Vimeo.

Date: 21/09/09

This video is composed of interviews made with a former garment worker, now worker organizer Kalpona Akter from Bangladesh. She talks about the conditions of garment workers and her experiences. I made this video for Clean Clothes Campaign. It is the first part of the series ''Stories from the Garment Industry''.

19 November 2012

According to the draft resolution on the special information programme, the Assembly would have the Department of Public Information disseminate information on all United Nations activities relating to the question of Palestine and the peace process, through various media, and continue to assist the Palestinian people with media development, particularly through strengthening the annual training programme for Palestinian journalists.

By the text on the Palestinian Rights Committee — formally known as the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People — the Assembly would express grave concern over the impasse in the peace process and the serious deterioration of the situation on the ground. It would request the Committee to continue promoting those inalienable rights and to extend its cooperation to civil society organizations in order to mobilize international solidarity and support.

Committee Chair Abdou Salam Diallo ( Senegal), referring to Israel’s launch of a "large-scale military operation" in the Gaza Strip last week, cited media reports stating that 94 Palestinians had been killed, including 50 civilians and many children. Additionally, three Israeli civilians had been killed as a result of rocket fire from Gaza, which had intensified following Israel’s assassination of the senior Hamas military commander on 14 November. He recalled that the Committee had issued a statement on Friday condemning the deadly attacks perpetrated by the Israeli military, as well as the killing of Israeli civilians by Palestinian rocket fire. It had demanded that Israel immediately and unconditionally end its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, because "nothing can justify this deadly military operation that Israel is carrying out, gravely endangering the Palestinian civilian population and spreading fear and trauma".

Riyad H. Mansour, Permanent Observer of Palestine, said the Security Council must shoulder its responsibility for maintaining international peace and security by calling for an immediate end to the aggression. The Council was failing in that regard because it had not taken any action since having adopted the resolution aimed at halting Israel’s December 2008 assault on Gaza. The Council’s inaction was due simply to the position of one major Power, he said, emphasizing that the Palestinian delegation could not accept that the Security Council was unable to do anything to end the tragedy.

The Israeli Government had decided to escalate matters further by mobilizing troops for a ground onslaught, he said, urging the Security Council President to maximize pressure on Israel to stop the aggression without delay. The current aggression was directed in part against efforts to have the General Assembly bestow enhanced observer status on his delegation, which Israel hoped to sabotage, he said. However, nothing would prevent such a draft resolution from coming before the Assembly to legislate recognition of the State of Palestine, and hopefully even more delegations would come forward to co-sponsor the text, which would be presented on 29 November.

‘Deeply Saddened’ by Civilian Deaths in Middle East, Urges

19 November 2012

Following is a statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the situation in the Middle East, issued on 18 November:

I am deeply saddened by the reported deaths of more than 10 members of the Dalu family, including women and children, and additional Palestinian civilians killed as a result of the ongoing violence in the Gaza strip. I am also alarmed by the continuing firing of rockets against Israeli towns, which has killed several Israeli civilians.

This must stop. I strongly urge the parties to cooperate with all efforts led by Egypt to reach an immediate ceasefire. Any further escalation will inevitably increase the suffering of the affected civilian populations and must be avoided.

I am heading to the region to appeal personally for ending the violence and contribute to ongoing efforts to that end.

According to the BBC, A ceasefire is set to be announced in the Gaza conflict, Egyptian and Palestinian officials say.

Egypt's President Mohammed Mursi, who has led mediation efforts, said he expected Israel to end air strikes late on Tuesday. A Hamas official also told the BBC a truce was imminent.

Israel has not confirmed this, but has put plans for a land invasion on hold.

It has also confirmed that an Israeli soldier has been killed by a rocket fired from Gaza.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) named him as Corporal Yosef Fartuk, aged 18, from the West Bank settlement of Emmanuel.

It is the first reported Israeli military fatality in the conflict that began last week.

Despite talks of a ceasefire, Israel has told residents in villages around Gaza City to move to central areas for their own safety.

Leaflets dropped in a number of villages say: "The Israel Defense Forces are not targeting any of you and they do not want to harm you or your families. For your safety, we demand you to evacuate your houses immediately and move towards the centre of Gaza city."

Israel launched its offensive, which it says is aimed at ending rocket fire from Gaza, with the killing on Wednesday of a Hamas military leader. More than 110 Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed since then.

U.S. Foreign Aid to the Palestinians

Jeremy M. Sharp and Christopher M. Blanchard Analysts in Middle Eastern Affairs Defense and Trade Division

U.S. Foreign Aid to Israel

Jeremy M. Sharp Specialist in Middle Eastern Affairs

March 12, 2012 

 A Brief Chronology of links and excerpts of 7 Key UN Fact Finding Missions, Inquiries, and Issued Statements

 1.)  NEW YORK / GENEVA – The UN Fact-Finding Mission led by Justice Richard Goldstone on Tuesday released its long-awaited report on the Gaza conflict, in which it concluded there is evidence indicating serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law were committed by Israel during the Gaza conflict, and that Israel committed actions amounting to war crimes, and possibly crimes against humanity.

15 September 2009

2.) Report of the Secretary-General's Panel of Inquiry on the 31 May 2010 Flotilla Incident September 2011

3.)  Quartet Statement
New York, 23 September 2011

The Quartet — U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the European Union Catherine Ashton— met in New York on 23rd September 2011. They were joined by Quartet Representative Tony Blair.

The Quartet takes note of the application submitted by President Abbas on 23rd September 2011 which is now before the Security Council.

The Quartet reaffirmed its statement of 20th May 2011, including its strong support for the vision of Israeli-Palestinian peace outlined by United States President Barack Obama.

4.)  Ban sends Palestinian application for UN membership to Security Council

23 September 2011

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has sent Palestine’s application to become a United Nations Member State to the Security Council for its consideration after receiving the bid from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas earlier today.

5.)  Israel, Expressing Disbelief, Rejects Fourth Committee Debate on Israeli Practices

as ‘Theatre of the Absurd’, ‘Blind’ to Palestinian Culpability

Report of Special Committee ‘Irrefutable Proof’ Israel

At Cross-Purposes with International Community, Says Speaker

12 November 2012,

6.)  Voting Machine Locks in Familiar Pattern as Fourth Committee Concludes Session

with Approval of Nine Texts on Palestine Refugee Agency, Israeli Practices

In All, 24 Draft Resolutions, 4 Decisions Sent to General Assembly

15 November 2012

Fourth Committee concludes work with the approval of nine draft resolutions on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and Israeli practices, another on peacekeeping, and a draft decision on its work, forwarding a total of 28 texts to the General Assembly.

Following its usual voting pattern on this last cluster of texts, the Committee, by a recorded vote of 91 in favour to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, Panama, United States), with 71 abstentions, approved the draft resolution on the Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices.

By its terms, the General Assembly would stress the urgency of bringing a complete end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and deplore those policies and practices of Israel that violated the human rights of the Palestinian people and other Arabs of the occupied territories.

Also, by a recorded vote of 160 in favour to 8 against (Australia, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, Panama, United States), with 6 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu), the Committee approved a draft resolution on Israeli practices affecting the human rights of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.

Among its provisions, the General Assembly would demand that Israel, the occupying Power, cease all practices and actions that violate the human rights of the Palestinian people, including the killing and injury of civilians, the arbitrary detention and imprisonment of civilians and the destruction and confiscation of civilian property.

Another of three additional drafts on Israeli practices, concerning Israeli settlements, would have the Assembly reiterate its demand for the cessation of all Israeli settlement activities in all of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan. It was approved by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 6 abstentions (Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Honduras, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu).

Also requiring a recorded vote was the draft resolution on the occupied Syrian Golan, approved by a vote of 161 in favour to 2 against (Israel, Panama), with 13 abstentions. That text would call upon Israel to desist from changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and legal status of the occupied Syrian Golan and in particular to desist from the establishment of settlements.

The draft on the applicability of the Geneva Convention, approved by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu), would stress that Israel should comply strictly with its obligations under international law and reaffirm that the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949, was applicable to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The first of four drafts on UNRWA concerned assistance to Palestine refugees and was approved by a recorded vote of 165 in favour to 1 against (Israel), with 6 abstentions (Cameroon, Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States). That text would have the Assembly note with regret that the situation of the refugees remained a matter of grave concern and that they continued to require assistance to meet basic health, education and living needs.

Another draft, approved by a recorded vote of 163 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 4 abstentions (Cameroon, Honduras, Panama, Papua New Guinea), would have the Assembly reaffirm the right of all persons displaced as a result of the June 1967 and subsequent hostilities to return to their homes or former places of residence in the territories occupied by Israel since 1967 and stress the necessity for their accelerated return.

A further draft resolution would have the Assembly express deep concern about the Agency’s extremely critical financial situation and urge all States, the specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to urgently increase their contributions in order to address its persistent, growing and serious financial constraints. That text was approved by a recorded vote of 166 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 1 abstention (Cameroon).

The final draft resolution on UNRWA would urge the Palestinian and Israeli sides, to deal with the important issue of Palestine refugees’ properties and their revenues within the framework of the final status negotiations of the Middle East peace process. It was approved by a recorded vote of 164 in favour to 6 against (Canada, Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Palau, United States), with 2 abstentions (Cameroon, Papua New Guinea).

Explaining her negative votes to those four draft resolutions, the representative of Israel said that while she supported the humanitarian aspects of UNRWA’s work, the resolutions were politically driven and did not reflect the cooperation of Israel with the Agency, whose mandate was clearly to keep the refugee question alive. "One-sided resolutions that ignored the culpability of anyone other than Israel served no purpose other than scoring cheap political points at Israel’s expense," she said.

The observer for Palestine declared that the adoption of those resolutions "was diplomacy and international law at work, not cheap political points as the Israeli delegate had characterised this multilateral exercise". The texts remained significant as they affirmed that the rights of the Palestinians had not diminished over time and that the rule of law and not the laws of brutality and power should prevail. Rather than denying the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people and denying Palestine its rightful place in the community of nations, Israel must be held accountable.

7.) Statement by Bureau of Committee on Exercise of Inalienable Rights

of Palestinian People on Situation in Gaza Strip

In The World today

Israel fires a missle into Syria

a warning shot response to

an accidental stray mortar

that caused no injuries

or damages...while

peaceful resolution faltered in Doho

an intial deal was signed and it all

fell apart at 3:00 a.m.

Now Syrian cleric

to lead opposition...

The US government says

chilling premeditation

worst case of slaughter since the Viet Nam War

as Afghan survivors

testify to the civilian murder

of 16 villagers

mainly women in children...

while...

19 soldiers and veterans raped by their fellow military

during service to our country sue

for denial of their constitutional rights

to due process and entry into a court's system

on the heels of Lackland scandalous accusations

of at least a dozen instructors sexually assaulting

young female recruits

Obama visited the Jersey Shore.

"We are here for you and we will not forget.

We will follow up to make sure

you get all the help you need to rebuild."

while...130,000 homes and businesses

were still without power on Long Island

while... volunteers hosted a clothing drive and

children's carnival in Rockaway.

Last week Iran fired shots at a US Drone

in international waters that today

they claim was in theirs and are proud of it

and will do it again while...

"The IAEA and Iran

have agreed

on 13 December in Tehran,"

The full text of the speech given in Chicago by Barack Obama after he won a second term in office as US president:

"Tonight, more than 200 years after a former colony won the right to determine its own destiny, the task of perfecting our union moves forward.

It moves forward because of you. It moves forward because you reaffirmed the spirit that has triumphed over war and depression, the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the belief that while each of us will pursue our own individual dreams, we are an American family and we rise or fall together as one nation and as one people.

Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America the best is yet to come.

I want to thank every American who participated in this election, whether you voted for the very first time or waited in line for a very long time. By the way, we have to fix that. Whether you pounded the pavement or picked up the phone, whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard and you made a difference.

I just spoke with Governor Romney and I congratulated him and Paul Ryan on a hard-fought campaign. We may have battled fiercely, but it's only because we love this country deeply and we care so strongly about its future. From George to Lenore to their son Mitt, the Romney family has chosen to give back to America through public service and that is the legacy that we honour and applaud tonight. In the weeks ahead, I also look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to talk about where we can work together to move this country forward.

I want to thank my friend and partner of the last four years, America's happy warrior, the best vice president anybody could ever hope for, Joe Biden.

And I wouldn't be the man I am today without the woman who agreed to marry me 20 years ago. Let me say this publicly: Michelle, I have never loved you more. I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you too, as our nation's first lady. Sasha and Malia, before our very eyes you're growing up to become two strong, smart beautiful young women, just like your mom. And I'm so proud of you guys. But I will say that for now one dog's probably enough.

To the best campaign team and volunteers in the history of politics. The best. The best ever. Some of you were new this time around, and some of you have been at my side since the very beginning. But all of you are family. No matter what you do or where you go from here, you will carry the memory of the history we made together and you will have the lifelong appreciation of a grateful president. Thank you for believing all the way, through every hill, through every valley. You lifted me up the whole way and I will always be grateful for everything that you've done and all the incredible work that you put in.

I know that political campaigns can sometimes seem small, even silly. And that provides plenty of fodder for the cynics that tell us that politics is nothing more than a contest of egos or the domain of special interests. But if you ever get the chance to talk to folks who turned out at our rallies and crowded along a rope line in a high school gym, or saw folks working late in a campaign office in some tiny county far away from home, you'll discover something else.

You'll hear the determination in the voice of a young field organiser who's working his way through college and wants to make sure every child has that same opportunity. You'll hear the pride in the voice of a volunteer who's going door to door because her brother was finally hired when the local auto plant added another shift. You'll hear the deep patriotism in the voice of a military spouse who's working the phones late at night to make sure that no-one who fights for this country ever has to fight for a job or a roof over their head when they come home.

That's why we do this. That's what politics can be. That's why elections matter. It's not small, it's big. It's important. Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy.

That won't change after tonight, and it shouldn't. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty. We can never forget that as we speak, people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did today.

But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for America's future. We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools and the best teachers. A country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation, with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow.

We want our children to live in an America that isn't burdened by debt, that isn't weakened by inequality, that isn't threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet. We want to pass on a country that's safe and respected and admired around the world, a nation that is defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this world has ever known. But also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war, to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being.

We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America, in a tolerant America, open to the dreams of an immigrant's daughter who studies in our schools and pledges to our flag. To the young boy on the south side of Chicago who sees a life beyond the nearest street corner. To the furniture worker's child in North Carolina who wants to become a doctor or a scientist, an engineer or an entrepreneur, a diplomat or even a president - that's the future we hope for. That's the vision we share. That's where we need to go - forward. That's where we need to go.

Now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there. As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It's not always a straight line. It's not always a smooth path. By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won't end all the gridlock or solve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward. But that common bond is where we must begin.

Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now over. And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you've made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.

Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together. Reducing our deficit. Reforming our tax code. Fixing our immigration system. Freeing ourselves from foreign oil. We've got more work to do.

But that doesn't mean your work is done. The role of citizen in our democracy does not end with your vote. America's never been about what can be done for us. It's about what can be done by us together through the hard and frustrating, but necessary work of self-government. That's the principle we were founded on.

This country has more wealth than any nation, but that's not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military in history, but that's not what makes us strong. Our university, our culture are all the envy of the world, but that's not what keeps the world coming to our shores.

What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on earth. The belief that our destiny is shared; that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations. The freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights. And among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That's what makes America great.

I am hopeful tonight because I've seen the spirit at work in America. I've seen it in the family business whose owners would rather cut their own pay than lay off their neighbours, and in the workers who would rather cut back their hours than see a friend lose a job. I've seen it in the soldiers who reenlist after losing a limb and in those SEALs who charged up the stairs into darkness and danger because they knew there was a buddy behind them watching their back.

I've seen it on the shores of New Jersey and New York, where leaders from every party and level of government have swept aside their differences to help a community rebuild from the wreckage of a terrible storm. And I saw just the other day, in Mentor, Ohio, where a father told the story of his eight-year-old daughter, whose long battle with leukaemia nearly cost their family everything had it not been for healthcare reform passing just a few months before the insurance company was about to stop paying for her care.

I had an opportunity to not just talk to the father, but meet this incredible daughter of his. And when he spoke to the crowd listening to that father's story, every parent in that room had tears in their eyes, because we knew that little girl could be our own. And I know that every American wants her future to be just as bright. That's who we are. That's the country I'm so proud to lead as your president.

And tonight, despite all the hardship we've been through, despite all the frustrations of Washington, I've never been more hopeful about our future. I have never been more hopeful about America. And I ask you to sustain that hope. I'm not talking about blind optimism, the kind of hope that just ignores the enormity of the tasks ahead or the roadblocks that stand in our path. I'm not talking about the wishful idealism that allows us to just sit on the sidelines or shirk from a fight.

I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting.

America, I believe we can build on the progress we've made and continue to fight for new jobs and new opportunity and new security for the middle class. I believe we can keep the promise of our founders, the idea that if you're willing to work hard, it doesn't matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love. It doesn't matter whether you're black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you're willing to try.

I believe we can seize this future together because we are not as divided as our politics suggests. We're not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions, and we remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are and forever will be the United States of America.

And together with your help and God's grace we will continue our journey forward and remind the world just why it is that we live in the greatest nation on Earth.

Thank you, America. God bless you. God bless these United States."

"USDA, working with FEMA and other partners, is dedicated to helping homeowners impacted by Hurricane Sandy," Vilsack said. "We are taking steps to ensure that direct and guaranteed USDA home loan borrowers have the assistance and resources they need to get through this disaster."

The following actions aim to help rural communities and residents in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic:

• USDA home loan borrowers in Presidential Declared Disaster, and surrounding counties, will receive a letter that outlines loan servicing assistance to help impacted borrowers with loan repayment. This includes a potential moratorium on payment schedules for up to six months for eligible borrowers.
• Available USDA properties that are not currently under lease or purchase agreement may be made available for lease to victims of Hurricane Sandy through FEMA.
• USDA is providing FEMA with information about vacant units in multi-family housing complexes financed by the agency. These units may be made available to impacted individuals and families. Individuals are encouraged to contact FEMA for information about these properties, or access the FEMA housing portal at http://asd.fema.gov/inter/hportal/home.htm.
• Victims of the disaster may obtain a Letter of Priority Entitlement at any USDA Rural Development area or state office. This enables the letter holder to move to the top of any waiting list at an USDA-financed multifamily property. These properties are privately-owned and applicants must pass current screening criteria.

USDA Rural Development is also taking steps to assist utilities, business owners and others in need. For example:

• Rural Development staff is reaching out to all telecommunications, electric and water system borrowers to assess any damages and offer immediate assistance.
• USDA is working with rural electric cooperatives in affected areas to assist in restoring power in the disaster zone.
• Rural Development is coordinating with state rural water associations to help rural communities assess water system outages and damages. At least 38 Circuit Riders, funded by USDA, have been deployed to assist local water system operators.

USDA encourages homeowners and business owners in rural communities to contact their local Rural Development office for housing, business or community assistance information. Additional information about assistance programs, safety tips and updates about USDA's hurricane relief efforts are posted on the Web at www.usda.gov/disaster. Click on the hurricane relief link. Click here for a list of Rural Development offices http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html. And information about the U.S. Government's hurricane response efforts is available at www.ready.gov.

USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has an active portfolio of more than $174 billion in loans and loan guarantees. These programs are designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

STORM WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT OVER PORTIONS OF THE GREAT LAKES.
GALE WARNING ARE IN EFFECT ALONG PORTIONS OF THE MID-ATLANTIC AND
NORTHEAST COASTS.

FLOOD AND COASTAL FLOOD WATCHES...WARNINGS...AND ADVISORIES ARE IN
EFFECT OVER PORTIONS OF THE MID-ATLANTIC AND NORTHEAST STATES.

BLIZZARD WARNINGS REMAIN IN EFFECT ALONG THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF
THE CENTRAL APPALACHIANS.  WINTER STORM WARNINGS AND WINTER
WEATHER ADVISORIES REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR EXTREME WESTERN MARYLAND
AND SOUTHWESTWARD INTO EASTERN TENNESSEE...EASTERN KENTUCKY...AND
EXTREME WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA. 

FOR INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE WATCHES
AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE AT WWW.WEATHER.GOV.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 0500 PM EDT...2100 UTC...THE CENTER OF SANDY WAS LOCATED NEAR
LATITUDE 40.8 NORTH...AND LONGITUDE 79.2 WEST. THE POST-TROPICAL
CYCLONE WAS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NORTHWEST AT 10 MPH...16 KM/H.
SANDY IS EXPECTED TO TURN NORTHWESTWARD ACROSS WESTERN
PENNSYLVANIA TONIGHT...AND CONTINUE TO MOVE NORTHWARD INTO CANADA
ON WEDNESDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 45 MPH...72 KM/H...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS.

MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 988 MB...29.18 INCHES.


HAZARDS
-------
WIND...STRONG WINDS WILL CONTINUE INTO TUESDAY NIGHT OVER PORTIONS
OF THE NORTHEAST...CENTRAL/SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS...AND ACROSS THE
GREAT LAKES.

STORM SURGE...EVEN THOUGH WATER LEVELS ALONG THE COAST HAVE BEEN
SUBSIDING...THE COMBINATION OF STORM SURGE AND THE TIDE COULD
STILL CAUSE NORMALLY DRY AREAS NEAR THE COAST TO BE FLOODED BY
RISING WATERS...ESPECIALLY IN AREAS APPROACHING HIGH TIDE.  THE
WATER COULD REACH THE FOLLOWING DEPTHS ABOVE GROUND AT THE TIME OF
HIGH TIDE...

UPPER AND MIDDLE CHESAPEAKE BAY...2 TO 4 FT

ELSEWHERE…ELEVATED WATER LEVELS ALONG THE COAST OF NORTH
CAROLINA TO MASSACHUSETTS WILL SUBSIDE OVERNIGHT AND ON WEDNESDAY.
DUE TO STRONG AND PERSISTENT NORTHERLY WINDS...COASTAL FLOODING
ALONG PORTIONS OF THE GREAT LAKES IS POSSIBLE.

SURGE-RELATED FLOODING DEPENDS ON THE RELATIVE TIMING OF THE SURGE
AND THE TIDAL CYCLE...AND CAN VARY GREATLY OVER SHORT DISTANCES.
THE SURGE COULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY LARGE AND DANGEROUS WAVES ALONG
PORTIONS OF THE COAST EXPOSED TO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN.  FOR
INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE SEE PRODUCTS ISSUED BY
YOUR LOCAL NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE.

RAINFALL...ADDITIONAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF UP TO AN INCH ARE
EXPECTED FROM THE EASTERN GREAT LAKES...ACROSS THE MID-ATLANTIC
AND INTO SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND. THIS WILL BRING STORM TOTAL
PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS OF 6 TO 12 INCHES ACROSS THE MID-ATLANTIC
REGION FROM SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY ACROSS
DELAWARE...MARYLAND...NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND SOUTHERN PENNSYLVANIA.
ADDITIONAL PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE EXPECTED
OVER EASTERN MAINE THROUGH WEDNESDAY.

SNOWFALL...ADDITIONAL SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 5 TO 10 INCHES ARE
EXPECTED IN THE MOUNTAINS OF WEST VIRGINIA INTO FAR WESTERN
MARYLAND...WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS UP TO 15 INCHES.  THIS WILL BRING
STORM SNOWFALL TOTALS TO 2 TO 3 FEET OVER PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL
APPALACHIANS...AND 1 TO 2 FEET OVER EASTERN PORTIONS OF KENTUCKY
AND THE MOUNTAINS ALONG THE NORTH CAROLINA/TENNESSEE BORDER.

SURF...DANGEROUS SURF CONDITIONS WILL CONTINUE FROM FLORIDA
THROUGH NEW ENGLAND FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

NOAA.GOV 

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
September 29, 2012

Hello, everybody. Four years ago this month, a crisis that started out on Wall Street almost brought down our entire economy. The nation’s biggest banks were days away from failing. The stock market – and millions of American retirement accounts – were in free-fall. Credit froze. Lending stopped. And businesses large and small didn’t even know if they’d be able to make payroll. It was a moment the likes of which few Americans had ever seen.

Today, we know the biggest cause of that crisis was reckless behavior in the housing market.

Millions of Americans who did the right and responsible thing – who shopped for a home, secured a mortgage they could afford, and made their payments on time – were badly hurt by the irresponsible actions of others. By lenders who sold loans to families who couldn’t afford them – and buyers who knew they couldn’t afford them. By speculators who were looking to make a quick buck. And by banks that packaged and sold those risky mortgages for phony profits.

When the party stopped, and the housing bubble burst, it pushed our entire economy into a historic recession – and left middle-class families holding the bag.

Four years later, the housing market is healing. Home sales and construction are up. Prices are beginning to rise. And more than a million families who began this year owing more on their mortgages than their homes are worth, are now back above water.

We’re moving in the right direction. But we’re not there yet. There are still millions of Americans who are struggling with their mortgages, even at a time of historically low rates.

Now, I know there are some who think that the only option for homeowners is to just stand by and hope that the market has hit bottom. I don’t agree with that.

That’s why my Administration teamed up with state attorneys general to investigate the terrible way many homeowners were treated, and secured a settlement from the nation’s biggest banks – banks that were bailed out with taxpayer dollars – to help families stay in their homes.

And that’s why we announced new steps to help responsible homeowners refinance their mortgages. Already, hundreds of thousands of Americans who were stuck in high-interest loans have been able to take advantage of lower rates and save thousands of dollars every year.

That’s not only good for those families; it’s also good for our economy. When folks are spending less on mortgage payments, they’re spending more at local businesses. And when those businesses have more customers, they start hiring more workers.

But we can do even more if Congress is willing to do their part.

Back in February I sent Congress a plan to give every responsible homeowner the chance to save about $3,000 a year on their mortgages by refinancing at lower rates. It’s a plan that has the support of independent, nonpartisan economists and leaders across the housing industry. But Republicans in Congress worked to keep it from even getting to a vote. And here we are – seven months later – still waiting on Congress to act.

This makes no sense. Last week, mortgage rates were at historic lows. But instead of helping more and more hardworking families take advantage of those rates, Congress was away on break. Instead of worrying about you, they’d already gone home to worry about their campaigns.

The truth is, it’s going to take a while for our housing market to fully recover. But it’s going to take a lot more time – and cause a lot more hurt – if Congress keeps standing in the way. If you agree with me, I hope you’ll make your voices heard. Call your Representative. Send them an email. Show up at their town hall and tell them that when Congress comes back to Washington, they better come back ready to work. All of you are doing everything you can to meet your responsibilities. It’s time Congress did the same. Thanks and have a great weekend.

Life changes and who I am and what my work on Woman's Mojo Risings will be, is effected by these experiences which have taught me something each and every day.  I have been deeply scared and deeply touched and greatly moved by my mother's heart, faith and tensasity. I feel a certain shift in who I am daily.  And I like myself better these days and sense that life is about growing through meaningful experiences and leaps into the next chapter in ones life and giving what you have to give it. Wishing you well and loving in your life. 

Returning soon,

Brightfire Woman

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) today announced funding awards to over 220 cities and counties, aimed at creating or saving approximately 800 law enforcement positions. The grants will fund over 600 new law enforcement positions and save an additional 200 positions recently lost or in jeopardy of being cut due to local budget cuts. All new law enforcement positions funded in the COPS 2012 Hiring Program must be filled by recent military veterans who have served at least 180 days since September 11, 2001.

More than $111 million is being awarded to local public safety agencies across the country. This year’s grantee is the City of Manchester. The COPS Office will work with transition centers across the country to connect veterans with the new grant-funded law enforcement opportunities. For the entire list of grantees and additional information about the 2012 COPS Hiring Program, visit the COPS website at www.cops.usdoj.gov.

“Today, we step up our support for recent veterans by offering them the chance to pursue meaningful careers in law enforcement,” said Attorney General Eric Holder. "At a time of budget shortfalls, these grants will provide opportunities for much-needed, highly-trained professionals – with a proven commitment to service - to continue their careers in communities all across the country.”

“This federal grant to the Manchester Police Department provides needed budgetary relief for public safety purposes while fulfilling our commitment to ensuring employment for those who have served and defended our country,” said United States Attorney John P. Kacavas.

The COPS Hiring Program makes grants to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire or rehire community policing officers. The program provides the salary and benefits for officer and deputy hires for three years. Along with the pledge to hire military veterans, grantees for the 2012 Hiring Program were selected based on fiscal need and local crime rates. An additional factor in the selection process was each agency’s strategy to address specific problems such as increased homicide rates and gun violence.

In his State of the Union Address, President Obama called for a new Veterans Jobs Corps initiative to help put veterans back to work on a range of projects that leverage skills developed in the military, including first responder jobs. In February, the President announced that preference for this year’s COPS and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grants would be given to communities that recruit and hire post-9/11 veterans to serve as police officers and firefighters.

As I post this the death toll is 12 with 58 wound, many of them seriously. Thirty people remain in area hospitals tonight, 11 of them in critical condition, but that is far from the extent of the damages, which have rippled out as the day has unfolded.

The damage done to victims now traumatize for what they did and did not do in that moment of complete dominance and unimaginable carnage, when in truth it was all they could do.

The damage done to children, who came to see their hero defeat the bad guy...

What was set in motion when that exit door swung open at the Century 16 movie theatre is still rocking this nation and will for many days to come.

We are struggling to make sense of an insane act... while expert profilers have begun the debate of psychotic break verses psychopathy and swat teams clear the block to safely enter his apartment.

In a deep empathy for the victims and their family we can not help think what if that had been my children in that theatre? 

Tonight we all will fall asleep less certain of our own public safety.

The phone number to call for information for family members about the victims of the Aurora movie theater shooting is 303 873-5292 . If you have any information on the shooting or the shooter you are asked to call the Aurora Police tipline 303-739-1862 .

Bonfils Blood Center is asking for blood donations, especially O negative, A negative and plasma. The need for donations will continue for many days, so if you can't get in today you are asked to call 303-366-2000  to make an appointment or go to Bonfils.org

Children’s Hospital Colorado has set up a Family Support line at 720-777-2300  to help families who need advice or help finding resources related to the Aurora movie theater shooting incident. The line will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and callers will be asked to provide their contact information. A behavioral health specialist will return their call within 24 hours.

Colorado Organization for Victims Assistance is available for victims of this tragedy as well. Visit their website here for more information. http://www.coloradocrimevictims.org

At the request of Aurora PD, donations for the victims of the theater shooting can be mailed to COVA at 90 Galapago Street, Denver CO, 80223. For tracking they ask people to mark checks with "Aurora shooting" in the memo line. You can visit the COVA Facebook page here for more information.

A Facebook page has been set up to help get information out about the shooting here.  

Police are pictured outside of a Century 16 movie theater at Aurora Mall after a deadly shooting during a midnight screening of the latest Batman film, "The Dark Knight Rises," in Aurora, Colo., July 20, 2012.Police said the gunman entered through an exit door and appeared at the front of the theater in Aurora and released a canister, thought to be tear gas, that let out a hissing sound. He apparently had bought a ticket, propped open a door, and gone to his car for his gear.

The gunman then started shooting into the crowd, sparking pandemonium.

"He looked so calm when he did it," an eyewitness told NBC affiliate KUSA. "It was like scary. He waited for both the bombs to explode before he did anything. Then, after both of them exploded, he began to shoot."

"He had no specific target. He just started letting loose," the witness added.

Witnesses told reporters that the gunfire erupted during a shootout scene in the "The Dark Knight Rises."

PARIS (AP) -- The Paris premiere of the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" was canceled Friday after a gunman killed several people at a Colorado opening of the same film.

The event at a movie theater on the French capital's famed Champs-Elysees Avenue was supposed to include director Christopher Nolan and stars like Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine.  

HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY IN AURORA, COLORADO

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colorado, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, July 25, 2012. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.  BARACK OBAMA 

 Statement by President Barack Obama on the Shooting in Colorado 

A small group prays outside Gateway High School where witness were brought for questioning, July 20, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. A gunman wearing a gas mask set off an unknown gas and fired into the crowded movie theater killing 12 people and injuring at least 50 others, authorities said.Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my Administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time. We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people, and caring for those who have been wounded. As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors, and we must stand together with them in the challenging hours and days to come. 

Excerpt from From President Obama's Remarks

 Harborside Event Center
Fort Myers, Florida

Now, even as we learn how this happened and who's responsible, we may never understand what leads anybody to terrorize their fellow human beings like this. Such violence, such evil is senseless. It's beyond reason. But while we will never know fully what causes somebody to take the life of another, we do know what makes life worth living. The people we lost in Aurora loved and they were loved. They were mothers and fathers; they were husbands and wives; sisters and brothers; sons and daughters, friends and neighbors. They had hopes for the future and they had dreams that were not yet fulfilled.  

 

I’m sure that many of you who are parents here had the same reaction that I did when I heard this news. My daughters go to the movies. What if Malia and Sashahad been at the theater, as so many of our kids do every day? Michelle and I willbe fortunate enough to hug our girls a little tighter tonight, and I’m sure you willdo the same with your children. But for those parents who may not be so lucky, we have to embrace them and let them know we will be there for them as a nation. 

And if there’s anything to take away from this tragedy it’s the reminder that life is very fragile. Our time here is limited and it is precious. And what matters at the end of the day is not the small things, it’s not the trivial things, which so often consume us and our daily lives. Ultimately, it’s how we choose to treat one another and how we love one another.

It’s what we do on a daily basis to give our lives meaning and to give our lives purpose. That’s what matters. At the end of the day, what we’ll remember will be those we loved and what we did for others. That’s why we’re here. 

President Obama

Police use a video camera to look inside an apartment where the suspect in a shooting at a movie theatre lived in Aurora, Colo., July 20, 2012.A law enforcement official confirmed that Holmes had two handguns, a shotgun and a semi-automatic rifle, was wearing an outfit of black ballistic gear, had his hair brightly colored red or orange, and told police that he was the Joker, the fictional villain in earlier Batman comics and films. Holmes is not cooperating with authorities, other than to divulge that his apartment was rigged with explosives. He is represented by an attorney.

The 24-year-old from San Diego was a Ph.D. student at the University of Colorado Medical School campus in Aurora, a university spokesman told NBC News. 

 The victims, who were being treated in six hospitals, included a 6-year-old child. A 4-month-old baby also was treated and released. The oldest reported patient was 45.

One of those killed was Jessica Ghawi, a sportswriter who survived a June 2 mass shootingat a mall in Toronto in which two people were killed and seven others were injured. Ghawi blogged under the name Jessica Redfield.  

Jessica's brother, Jordan Ghawi Statement

(Click above link to leave condolences on his website) 

 This is what I have been told by Brent, who was with my sister at the time of the shooting. This will be the only statement that I will make on the events surrounding what appears to be her death.

Jessica and Brent were seated in the middle portion of the theatre when a device was thrown into the theatre that produced a “hissing” sound. The theatre than began to fill with smoke which is when patrons began to move from their seats. At that time, shots were fired. Brent and Jessica immediately dropped to a prone position for cover. Jessica advised multiple times for someone to call911, which Brent immediately attempted to do. Brent then heard Jessica scream and noticed that she was struck by a round in the leg. Brent, began holding pressure on the wound and attempted to calm Jessica. It was at this time that Brent took a round to his lower extremities. While still administering first aid, Brent noticed that Jessica was no longer screaming. He advised that he looked over to Jessica and saw what appeared to be an entry wound to her head. He further stated that Jessica presented with agonal respirations. Brent then took what may have been his only chance to escape the line of fire and exited the structure where he then contacted my mother. Brent’s actions are nothing but heroic. The veracity of any other statements not issued by myself or Peter Burns should be questioned.

James Eagan Holmes, suspected of carrying out the Colorado movie theater shooting... was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate student in neuroscience who started buying his four weapons legally in May, about the time his grades fell and he began the process of dropping out of school.

The attack appeared to have been meticulously planned. Federal and local enforcement officials said the suspect, identified as James Eagan Holmes, 24, was sheathed in a helmet, a gas mask, a tactical vest, throat and groin protectors and black tactical gloves. They said he had two 40-caliber Glock handguns, a Remington 870 single-barrel pump shotgun and a Smith & Wesson AR-15 assault-style rifle.

Family statement
Holmes' family, who live in Rancho Penasquitos, a well-to-do suburban community in the northeastern part of San Diego, issued a statement through the San Diego Police Department.

"Our hearts go out to those who were involved in this tragedy and to the family and friends of those involved," the statement said. "We ask that the media respect our privacy during this difficult time. Our family is cooperating with authorities in San Diego, California, and Aurora, Colorado. We are still trying to process this information and we appreciate that people will respect our privacy."

The other five Air National Guard bands scheduled to shut their instrument cases for good in 2013 include units based in Georgia, Ohio, Washington, California and Massachusetts.

“Those selected for decommissioning are the bands closest to active-duty regional bands and the bands with the most sparsely populated (areas of responsibility),” Breintenfeldt said.

The 571st has long been tasked with playing events in Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas and South Dakota.

“The opportunity to support troops in those four states – especially for those of us who have been able to deploy to the Middle East, who have that meaningful experience of relieving the stress of life in a forward, deployed location – has been a very distinctive privilege for us,” Arata said.

"It’s been a wild adventure," said Sidewinder’s front woman, Tech Sgt. Angie Johnson, a former active-duty Air Force intelligence analyst who also competed on NBC’s "The Voice" last March. "Sidewinder had only been home from last summer's deployment (to Afghanistan) for about two months when we learned of the decommissioning of our unit. Needless to say, we were shocked and heartbroken."

"We all shed tears that day," said Johnson, who plans to continue her fledgling music career and serve with the 571st until the unit is formally mothballed in September 2013. "It didn't make sense to us and still doesn't. But when you're in the military, you learn that people with a lot more stripes on their arms and brass on their shoulders are entrusted with making hard decisions for the betterment of the Armed Forces as a whole. So, we've come to accept the decision ... I will dearly miss my current guard family."

"It’s a little incongruous to chose our unit to stand down when it has garnered the most attention," agreed Maj. John Arata, commander of the 571st.

Arata also plays clarinet and piano – but was best known for his funky, blue fiddle in Sidewinder. Like Johnson, Arata will stay with the down sized concert band until its last day. Until then, the 571st intends to book occasional gigs when feasible.

 Live on Ellen

In Action at a Live Concert for our Troups

Cassandra Tribe is considered one of the top 100 performance poets of the century. She is a professional freelance writer and her work has been featured in Senior Living Magazine, Living Well with Montel, The Journal of Modern Living, Epicurious and New World Hope among others. She is a long time vigil and Reiki volunteer with Hospice and is certified in Alzheimer’s care, sociology, social work, aging, thanatology, philosophy, divinity, economics, fine arts and pastoral care. Cassandra also teaches GO (Baduk/Weiqi) as a means of self-discovery and contemplation.

She has two class offerings coming this fall at the Learning Connection located in Providence, RI on Wayland Ave. Their door is between Chico’s and Edge Café. Learning Connection is upstairs from the Edge Cafe. Parking is also available on the west side of Wayland Avenue.

Fall Class Schedule  

The Art of Memory with Cassandra Tribe

The most interesting autobiographies do not necessarily come from the most dramatic lives. What makes a good autobiography is the reader’s growing awareness of who the person is and how they came to make their choices in life. Writing your life story can be an amazing way to open a door between you and your kids/grandkids, to pass on a part of the family history or to explore and find healing within.

Writing Your Self into Life

Writing is a powerful tool for creating change in your life. Whether your change manifests from your writing a memoir about the past, developing a style of effective journaling, or from creating fictional presentations that help define who you want to be--the act of writing is a means to provide yourself with a record of who you have been and a written commitment to who you want to be...Prose, journal, memoir, or poetry--all styles of writing can benefit from the structure of this course. All you need to bring is a desire to create the life you want and a willingness to listen to the story within.

If we are lucky, we find someone who can teach us how to seek teachers.

If we are not lucky, we go through a trial and error period in which we think we have found someone good to teach us only to discover that they are not teaching us the right thing.

I will share with you what I was taught about finding teachers - that a teacher is known by two things, the quality of the company they keep and the strength of their awareness of the limitations of their knowledge. 

And people stand up and shout, but what they seem to most shout is, "Where is everyone who should be protesting this?"

When you are the hated one, for whatever reason, maybe it is your gender, orientation, religion, ethnicity or any one of the myriad of details people use to call someone else less-than remember that it is your voice and your voice alone that can speak for you. Don't waste it on screaming at someone who is silent, use it instead for someone who has been silenced. The greatest weapon in overcoming hatred is to chose not to hate or be angry, but to expect. Act with expectation. Stand tall with dignity. Cry out to correct. 

And remember that, especially for women, you are not alone in your struggle. We may not always hear each other's voices, but we are calling out together. And together we will bring change.

That no matter how crazy the world seems, it has been that way for thousands of years and given us some of the kindest and compassionate people and memories.

That for no matter how hopeless our situations may seem, they will change if we are willing to let go of what we wish they would be.

That for no matter how dark the day, it is in choosing to open our eyes that we see rain.

And rain....always passes, 

Leaving something new nourished behind.

But don't think you have to do it all yourself. Part of being able to see opportunity is to recognize when someone else holds a key to yours. Your tasks may be of help in making someone else's easier and they may hold something that you can use to go even further then you would alone. Look for the people who can join in their dream because it holds an element to their own and your combined passion will carry you both forward.

It is easy to fall into the trap of spending energy on providing assurances and explanations to people who have no capacity to support us or help us in achieving our goals. The question we forget to ask is, "Will this person help me? Can they help me?" Instead, a kind of guilt/shame comes into play and we feel like we have to justify our efforts. 

Not everyone needs an explanation. Not everyone in your life is capable of offering you support and help. Learning which people in your life need this kind of energy from you will help prevent you from becoming drained or open yourself up to comments and criticism from people for whom your life is a spectator sport. 

Take the time to identify who in your life is as interested in you doing well that they are willing to give of their energy too. Then, consider whether or not you are equally willing to spend time being supportive of them as well. 

Where is your sacred space? And how do you find yourself when you have gone missing? In this new year, so many of us are reaching for peace, stability, security, love and safety. Yet we cannot overlook the need to develop and maintain our sense and interaction with what it is that is sacred.

You can discover what is sacred to you by thinking upon the things that make you feel whole and full. For some it is their religious faith, for others it is giving or nature or any one of a million forms of expression that we can find that in return, help us find ourselves.

In your home, consider creating a small area that is a “sacred space.” It can be as simple as a picture of your pet, or a collection of photos of your family, or a religious icon – whatever it is that is a physical symbol of the sacred to you. Make it a habit to sit and be in your sacred space. Use these moments to center yourself and return to yourself. Return to yourself within the embrace of something larger than your life. Make this a habit and you shall go gracefully forward into a new year of change and hope.

I recommend, before you listen, that you grab a candle, a little incense and create a quiet area where you can sit comfortably and be undisturbed while you listen and perform the exercise.

Contemplative prayer is a tradition in almost every belief system. From the Buddhists to the Christians to the Muslims to people with no belief in a Universal Power or God but who engage in meditative processes. Prayer, after all, is a form of meditation – just a more directed one than many other types.

Lectio Divina is a Latin term for the practice of using sacred texts for divine guidance. It is the core aspect of Contemplative Prayer. You read a passage (or several) slowly and when a word or phrase pops out and grabs your attention, you use that as a kind of “mantra” for the meditation. Repeat the word or phrase over and over in your mind as you sit still and slow your breathing. Allow the phrase to drive all other thoughts from your mind. During the course of a contemplative prayer session, there is usually a kind of revelation that occurs as to why that word or that phrase was so important to you now.

For people who have tried meditation but been unsuccessful in quieting their minds down to nothingness, contemplative prayer is a good way to begin. The directed nature of it, the intuitive response to the reading all help to make it an accessible form of meditation for all. More advanced practitioners enjoy it as it helps them to integrate an exploration of their spirituality and beliefs into their meditation practice.

Tune in and try it out. It is a great habit to start in the beginning of this New Year.

c.2012. Cassandra Tribe. All Rights Reserved.

One of the horrible things about the Internet is that we have so much information and news that we get overwhelmed and don't pay attention to what is important in that endless stream in input.

Here is one thing - it is scientifically proven that all of us experience a dip in energy in the early afternoon. That is usually when we reach for caffeine or sugar, then get grumpy and start to become stressed. 

As we start the new year, perhaps we should take this into account and take 10 minutes a day in the afternoon to turn off the input, relax, maybe power nap and give ourselves a little rejuvenating love in the afternoon. Instead of trying to get through, stop and recharge. 

What is it that represents to you the dual nature of what is possible and impossible? It is like running into an obstacle or problem, it is both what stops us and what presents us with an opportunity that was not available before. Knowing what your personal symbol and mythology is for this kind of dual presence will help you to regain control in your life because it will allow you to take anything happening around you and put it into a personal perspective. 

Perhaps this coming year is the year you should consider coming to know your own personal stories and myths. It will help explain the mysteries of the world to you.

Each celebration/holiday has two meanings - the individual and the community. Sometimes the individual has a small community that shares the same beliefs and that is a source of comfort. Sometimes, we are alone in what we believe the importance of the day to be.

But if we look outward to our larger communities, we can begin to recognize the day as a means of marking time communally. The day has a meaning that exists socially as a way of creating a shared milestone. That shared milestone is important because it gives us common ground in a sometimes very diverse culture. 

No matter what you believe, do not forget to acknowledge that recognized holidays are a way of creating a shared experience with others. It is from shared experiences, having the same point in time to mark our lives, that we can begin to communicate with each other about other issues and to connect.

Where once there was only seperation, now we are given a common starting point.

It is as if we join in a celebration in which we are not allowed to attend. Thomas Merton said, "What benefit us if we can travel to the moon and have yet to discover how to cross the abyss between ourselves?"

This year, consider making your celebrations about being right where you are, which is right where you are needed to be and the let all the rest of it go. Dress your present up in its finery as what it is and enjoy it, enjoy your life. Give yourself permission to be in the moment with joy.

Often, this is taken as a kind of mystical judgment of the intent of the Universe on our lives, but in reality it means that where ever you are - that is your present and your reality. You need to be there because if you think you should be somewhere else you will miss your present.

When we place ourselves in the mindset of missing our present we miss opportunities, epiphanies, realizations and chances to make decisions that will bring change to our lives.

Living in the present means you are paying attention, not just to what is currently around you but to new understandings of the past and potential choices for the future.

Wherever you are,

you are exactly where you need to be.

Tomorrow it may be a different place,

but you belong there too.