“The successful completion of inclusive Palestinian elections is a critical step toward renewing democratic legitimacy of the Palestinian Government”, he said, speaking from Jerusalem. 

“These elections should also pave the way to uniting Gaza and the West Bank under a single, legitimate national authority, which would be an important step towards reconciliation and could advance Middle East peace.” 

Growing youth participation 

Preparations continue for the Palestinian Legislative Council elections set for 22 May, he reported.  

Registration of candidates concluded on 31 March, and the final lists are expected on 30 April, the start of the official campaign period. 

“Since my last briefing, a growing number of young people are expected to participate in shaping their political future and having the opportunity to vote for the first time”, he said.   

The UN has been supporting the electoral process, engaging regularly with parties and with the Central Elections Committee (CEC). 

“To date, the CEC has performed its duties with professionalism and integrity, enhancing trust in the electoral process”, he said.  “I also underscore the critical role of election observers to ensure respect for the results of a credible and transparent process.” 

COVID-19 'a formidable threat' 

Mr. Wennesland also welcomed the CEC’s plans to implement special measures for safe voting during the pandemic. 

As of Thursday, there were more than 316,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the occupied Palestinian territory, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO). 

Addressing the crisis, he said COVID-19 continues to pose  “a formidable threat” across the occupied Palestinian territory and vaccination must be ramped up. 

“I am seriously concerned by the significant rise in active cases in Gaza where the daily infection rate is reaching its highest level since the onset of the pandemic.  In the West Bank, many hospitals remain at or near full capacity”, he said. 

The envoy updated ambassadors on the vaccination campaign which the Palestinian authorities rolled out last month. 

More vaccines needed 

More than 300,000 doses have been delivered so far, he reported, and Israel also has continued efforts to vaccinate segments of the Palestinian population in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.  Additionally, more than 100,000 Palestinians who have permits to enter Israel, have also been inoculated. 

“As the socio-economic impact of the pandemic has significantly exacerbated a seemingly never-ending fiscal and economic crisis in both the West Bank and Gaza, support for the Palestinian Government’s response must continue to be a priority,” Mr Wennesland said. 

“I welcome all efforts carried out thus far to vaccinate the Palestinian population, but the process needs to be accelerated and more vaccines are needed.”