Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


UN: Breakdown in Israeli-Palestinian Cooperation Hurting COVID-19 Response

Margaret Besheer

   NEW YORK - The U.N.'s top diplomat for the Middle East peace process
   warned Tuesday that a breakdown in cooperation between Israeli and
   Palestinian leadership over annexation threats is hampering the
   COVID-19 response.

   "Regrettably, the situation on the ground is rapidly being affected by
   the dramatic increase in COVID-19 cases in the West Bank, including
   East Jerusalem, and in Israel," envoy Nickolay Mladenov told the U.N.
   Security Council in a virtual meeting.

   Israel has recorded more than 52,600 confirmed coronavirus cases and
   422 deaths, while the Palestinian Authority (PA) has confirmed over
   9,200 cases and 64 fatalities.

   "I am also concerned that we are far below the level of coordination
   that existed in the beginning of the year, when the first wave of the
   virus hit," Mladenov said. "This situation could have serious
   repercussions on the ability to control its spread and its impact on
   people's lives."

.