Slovenia condemned settler violence in the West Bank and called for a peace conference to advance the two-state solution as the UN Security Council debated on 19 September the escalation of tensions in the West Bank in the shadow of the war in Gaza.

"We are at a precipice. Almost a year into the war the devastation and immense suffering of civilians continue relentlessly. Hostages have not returned home. Civilians in Gaza continue to endure an unprecedented levels of violation and destruction. The potential to engulf the region in a wider conflict remains at an all time high," Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon said.

She stressed the importance of respecting international law. "Serious violations of international, humanitarian and human rights law persist," Fajon said, adding that UN resolutions and provisional orders of the International Court of Justice were being disregarded.

"In the shadow of the appalling situation in Gaza settlement policy and expansion has accelerated at unprecedented levels. Settler violence is on the rise and the situation in the West Bank is boiling. The status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem is being repeatedly violated," Fajon said.

Negative trends must be met with positive and concrete steps," the minister said, welcoming the adoption on of the UN General Assembly resolution on Wednesday, which "provides tangible steps towards a blueprint for peace".

Fajon called on countries to take similar steps to Slovenia, which recognised the state of Palestine earlier this year. "Universal recognition of Palestine and its admission as a full UN member is an essential element in our shared agenda for peace," she said.

She called for a peace process where the UN would play a central role and for an international peace conference to advance the solution of two states.

"I imagine a mother in Gaza beaming with joy as her child can study again. I imagine a mother in Tel Aviv not needing to teach her child how to use a shelter. I imagine a mother in Jenin not worrying whether her child will be detained. This is the future I dream of," said Fajon, adding that the first step towards this future is an immediate ceasefire.