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Mr. President, We are meeting at a critical time, where any spark of unilateral action, any new incident can lead to an explosion of violence, shutting off the little that remains of the window of opportunity to reach a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Today we are witnessing what these actions, such as illegal settlements, evictions and demolitions, provocations, terror  acts against civilians or a disproportionate response of security forces may cause.

The number of people killed and injured continues to grow, on both sides.  Just recently, an Eritrean asylum seeker, mistaken for an assailant, was shot in this ongoing spike in violence. 

Lithuania strongly condemns all acts of violence which have resulted in injuries and loss of human life. All perpetrators of such crimes must be brought to justice. Our deepest condolences to the affected families, and we wish full recovery to those injured.

Palestinian and Israeli political, community and religious leaders must stand firm against terror, violence and incitement. They must clearly and firmly denounce such  acts and call for calm, peace and respect of each other. 

Further inflammatory rhetoric, distortion of facts and violence – verbal or physical - will only bring more violence, more pain, more death and despair, and will make the hope for living in peace and security even more remote.

All provocations, including on the holy sites, must cease immediately. Haram al Sharif/Temple Mount is a sacred place for both Muslims and Jews, and it is vital to ensure that its status  quo is respected.

We welcome repeated reassurances by  Israel‘s Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding respect for the status quo of the holy sites and encourage further concrete steps to reaffirm it, working in close coordination with Jordan.

Gaza needs urgent reconstruction and economic development. An immediate and unconditional lifting of the closure of the Strip, a free flow of people and goods, while addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns, are required for effective humanitarian relief  and recovery. We see Gaza as an integral part of  a  future State of Palestine and call for genuine Palestinian reconciliation.

Mr. President,

The latest  outbreak  of violence reminds us once again that current situation is unsustainable. The political establishments and people on both sides must finally understand  that it is peace and not confrontation that is the interest of both Israelis and Palestinians.

This week President of the Republic of Lithuania Ms Dalia Grybauskaite in her meetings with Israeli and Palestinian leaders has urged both sides to do everything within their power to curb the escalation of violence and restore calm.

Lithuania calls on the political leadership on  both sides to do everything they can to stop incitement, end impunity and guarantee respect for international humanitarian and human rights law. The political leaders sides have an obligation to protect innocent civilian lives. We call on both sides to engage in direct talks to calm the  tensions.

The international community, this Council, the US, the EU, the Arab League, the Quartet  and the regional actors, must play their role in supporting both parties in their efforts aimed at creating the conditions to make meaningful negotiations possible. We welcome the very timely visit to the region by UN Secretary General and the announced visit of US State Secretary Kerry.

For this conflict to end, there is no other way but an immediate resumption of peace negotiations seeking a final political settlement based on relevant Security Council Resolutions, the Madrid principles including land for peace, the Roadmap, the agreements previously reached by the parties and the Arab peace initiative, of two democratic and sovereign states living side by side within established borders, in peace, security, and mutual recognition.

A peaceful and just settlement of this conflict would have a stabilising  effect on the  entire region. We call on all relevant actors to take  immediate, courageous and bold steps  in that direction.