Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 24th Jan. UN Security Council on Tuesday convened a high-level open debate on the situation in the Middle East, chaired by Foreign Minister of France Stéphane Séjourné, the president of the Council for this month.
The meeting is taking place against the backdrop of war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza strip mounting death toll and escalating global calls for an immediate ceasefire from both sides.
UN head Antonio Guterres in his opening remarks to the Council told Member States and foreign ministers that any refusal to accept a two-State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, “must be firmly rejected”
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Stéphane Séjourné told the podium in his national capacity, said that three principles will guide his delegation’s action within this Council in the days and weeks to come.
He said first, the principle of humanity: “All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally, and we must act in favor of the civilian population of Gaza and work for a ceasefire.”
He added that the second principle is that of plain justice.
“We need to re launch the peace process in a decisive and credible manner. We know the parameters of the solution: two States living side by side in peace and security, within secure and recognized borders based on the 1967 lines, and both having Jerusalem as their capital.”
Thirdly principle will be the principle of responsibility in the face of risks of escalation, he said.
Stéphane Séjourne emphasized that “we must do everything to avoid a conflagration in the region and an extension of the conflict.”
Mr. Guterres voiced concern over the violence beyond Gaza.
He noted rising causalities in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem; the exchange of fire across the so-called Blue Line,
Guterres underscored the vital importance of the two-State solution.
He said that the “clear and repeated” rejection of the two-State solution at the highest levels of the Israeli government “is unacceptable”.
Guterres noted that this was despite “strongest appeals” even from Israel’s friends and allies.
“This refusal, and the denial of the right to statehood to the Palestinian people, would indefinitely prolong a conflict that has become a major threat to global peace and security.”
He said that Palestinian people’s right to build their own fully independent state must be “recognized by all” and that any refusal to accept the two-State solution by any party must be “firmly rejected”.
“The two-State solution is the only way to address the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.”
He concluded urging unity among the international community to advance a meaningful peace process.
Guterres stressed that “Over recent decades, the two-State solution has been criticized, denigrated and left for dead time and again. Nonetheless, it remains the only way to achieve lading and equitable peace in Israel, in Palestine, and across the entire the region.”
“Let’s face it. Despite all the efforts I described, no effective humanitarian aid operation can function under the conditions that have been forced on Palestinians in Gaza and those doing everything possible to help them”, Guterres said.
He reiterated the need for safety on the ground alongside telecommunications equipment for convoys, armored vehicles, spare parts for vital infrastructure, more crossing points, easing verification and the end to denials of aid shipments.
“I renew my appeal for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. This will ensure sufficient aid gets to where it is needed, facilitate the release of hostages, and help lower tensions around the Middle East,” he stressed.
He stated that the entire population of Gaza is enduring destruction at a scale and speed without parallel in recent history.
Mr. Guterres stressed that nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
With disease and hunger raging and needs skyrocketing, in the midst of winter, UN humanitarians and partners are striving to deliver despite overwhelming challenges, he said.
Mr. Guterres demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages being held by Palestinian militants in Gaza.
He said nothing can ever justify the deliberate killing, injuring, or kidnapping of any civilians, “the use of sexual violence against them or the indiscriminate launching of rockets” towards them.
He noted Israel was proposing a two month pause in hostilities in exchange for a “phased release” of the remaining hostages in the Strip.
“I will continue, in my limited capacity, to pursue all efforts to contribute to their release”, he said.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, France’s Stéphane Séjourné, Türkiye’s Hakan Fidan and the UK’s Tariq Ahmad have addressed the Coucil.
The meeting on peace and security in the Middle East took place after a widening of the conflict beyond Gaza, with regular exchanges of fire between Israeli and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon and increasing air strikes led by the US and UK on Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been attacking shipping in the Red Sea as an act of solidarity with Palestinian militants.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza showed no signs of abating and initiatives to see hostages released in exchange for a humanitarian pause struggling to gain traction, calls for an end to the carnage in Gaza.
Some 70 nations are on the list to speak at the meeting.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan, recalled that Israel withdrew from Gaza 18 years ago, said that since Hamas was voted in, it has turned the enclave into a “war machine”.
He added that some are advocating for a permanent ceasefire, which would see Hamas remaining in power. That would put Israel at existential risk because Hamas seeks to annihilate Israel.
Ambassador Erdan said should Hamas turn in those responsible for the 7 October attack on Israel and return the hostages, the war would end right away, added that “we will defend our future.”
He said that the conflict’s spillover was planned holding up a photo of seized arms while emphasized that without Iran, the Houthis would not have weapons to target vessels in the Red Sea.
Erdan added that every country in the region has been affected by Iran, which will stop at nothing to spread its hegemony also said that Albania was hit by an Iranian cyberattack.
If the Council continues to provide aid to Gaza without considering the Iranian threat, it will be a very dark future, he concluded.
Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Observer State of Palestine, Riyad Al Maliki, said the ongoing war is a “premeditated effort to inflict maximum pain on the Palestinian population” by combining three factors.
Riyad Al Maliki, said that first, the most savage and indiscriminate bombing campaign in the post-Second World War era; massive destruction and a cruel siege depriving the population of the essentials for its survival leading to the spread of famine, dehydration, disease, destitution and despair and the forcible displacement at a scale and speed not witnessed in modern history with virtually the entire Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.
“No home, hospital, school, mosque, church or UNRWA shelter is safe from Israel’s bombardments; 2,000-tonne bombs dropped with no care whatsoever for civilian lives, more than 25,000 of whom have been killed, including over 11,000 children; more than 63,000 injured, thousands permanently maimed and disabled, and more than 7,000 buried under the rubble,” he said.
He said that the world is calling for a ceasefire. It is time for accountability and for convening an international peace conference with a clear objective: upholding international law and implementing UN resolutions through resolute action by all States, organizations and the UN, he added.
Riyad Al Maliki, stressed that it is also time for recognition and admission of the State of Palestine to the UN.
“We were not granted a veto right over Israel’s admission to the United Nations 75 years ago; Israel does not have a veto right over the admission of the State of Palestine 75 years later,” he said.
He added that the international consensus on two States in this land must be upheld in word and deed, there can be no more pretexts for endless delay and obstruction.
“We are running out of time,” he said. “There are two choices: a spreading fire or a ceasefire. The alternative to freedom, justice and peace is what is happening now.
“We must make sure it stops, now and we must make sure it never happens again. Never again.”
Russian Foreign Affairs Minister, Sergey Lavrov said the Council has yet to provide an adequate response to end the conflict and take steps to prevent further destabilization of the Middle East because of the position of the United States, which vetoes ceasefire resolutions, giving a carte balance to continue the collective punishment of Palestinians.
Algeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, said his delegation’s goal is “to put an end to the outpouring of blood in Gaza”.
He said humanity must confront three challenges. First, resolutions, laws and legislation must be respected. The second challenge is to ensure that no Member State thinks it has a right to special treatment and immunity.
The third challenge is to compel Israel to uphold international law and put an end to the present crisis in Gaza.
“We need to bring together international judicial bodies to bring Israel to justice,” he said.
He praised South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice and initiatives from countries like Chile, which has petitioned the International Criminal Court. “We call on those bodies to implement their mandate.”
Security Council members should shoulder their responsibilities, for there can be no doubt that the immediate priority is to ensure a ceasefire and to act swiftly to achieve the two-State solution.
“To maintain the very foundation of the two-State solution, we call for Palestine to become a full-fledged UN Member State,” he added.
Foreign Affairs Minister of Turkiye Hakan Fidan, said it is was a shame the international community has not able to end the conflict in Gaza so far and the recent escalation in the region is more than alarming.
“Israel needs to seek a diplomatic solution and as the international community, we have the historical responsibility to stop this war,” he said.
He added that an immediate ceasefire, release of captives and continued humanitarian access, are crucial on the road to a lasting peace.
“Temporary measures will not work.”
He added as the future of Gaza is up to Palestinians and Palestinians only, the focus should be on the creation of an independent Palestinian State and the establishment of a mechanism that monitors peace progress between Israel and Palestine.
Deputy Premier Minister and Minister for Foreign affairs and Expatriates of Jordan, Ayman H. Safadi, said “the clock is ticking”, and the Security Council has yet to demand a ceasefire and enforce its own resolution on humanitarian assistance.
“Stop this massacre,” he said. “Adopting a binding Security Council resolution forcing the end of this misery is the least that you can do now. Partial solutions will not achieve this peace.
“All of you support the two-State solution that the Israeli Government is undermining.”
He said the future of the region cannot be taken hostage by the political ambitions and radical agendas of Israeli extremists.
Ayman H. Safadi added that the whole international community has an urgent choice to make: allow the Israeli Government to doom the region to more conflict or recognize the Palestinian State and finally put the region on an irreversible path to peace.
Ecuador’s Ambassador, José Javier De La Gasca, said that preventing the suffering and death caused by wars is why, more than 78 years ago, the UN was created. This must be the last war of this long conflict, he declared inside the Council chamber.
“Our aim must be to create the conditions for progress towards a peaceful, negotiated, definite and just solution for the parties, with the existence of two States,” he said.
“Every word or action that undermines the possibility of the two-State solution contributes to perpetuating the conflict and not to improving security. This should be evident to all, after so many years of violence and death.”
Chinese envoy to the UN Zhang Jun, said that the meeting must send a message of unity and clarity.
He stressed despite international consensus on an immediate ceasefire, the use of vetoes by permanent members during debates over past Gaza resolutions, were impeding all efforts.
Ambassador Zhang Jun said what is lacking is political will and determination.
He called on the Council to take the initiative with a sense of urgency, to restore peace.
He reiterated that an immediate ceasefire must be considered the priority. All members of the international community should spare no diplomatic effort to promote silencing of the guns and prevent further spillover of the conflict across the whole Middle East.
Mr. Jun noted that the two-State solution must be revitalized to achieve a peaceful Palestine and Israel.
He added that it is unacceptable that Israel’s leadership is rejecting this solution.
Chinese envoy reiterated that in order to increase pressure and make it a reality, Palestine must be granted full membership of the United Nations.
He said China will continue to push the Security Council to take due action.
Special Envoy of the Government of Japan, Uemura Tsukasa, expressed hope that action will soon be taken to de-escalate.
“We have an undeniable responsibility for many fragile lives and our history,” he said.
“We are witnessing the spillover to the West Bank, Lebanon, the Red Sea, Yemen and even more areas, which is seriously concerning.
“We are at a crossroads of whether these conflicts turn into a more large-scale regional confrontation. We must stop it“
He said in order to tackle all these serious challenges a two-State solution has even more importance than ever.
He said for the people of both Israel and Palestine to lead “a normal life” without any fear for their own safety and survival, that is the key.
Uemura Tsukasa added that Japan will work to build confidence between the parties through its own initiatives.
He said that in good times and bad times, Japan is prepared to be a courier for peace, for Palestine, Israel and all the people of the Middle East.
Pedro Comissário, the envoy of Mozambique, said the current situation calls for an immediate and urgent humanitarian ceasefire, a cessation of hostilities and ultimately an end to the conflict.
“In a troubled region like the Middle East, where conflict begets conflict, we need to be cautious and prudent in every move we make, in every step we take,” he said.
“We need to avoid unimaginable political and security consequences that can jeopardize global peace and security.”
He added as members of the Security Council, “we are duty bound to pull together” and “bring to an end the catastrophe in Gaza.”
“Our action and influence on the parties to the conflict is of extreme importance. To the extent of our individual capacity, we all need to contribute to peace, security and stability in the Middle East.”
US Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, said Washington’s de-escalation efforts continue, and her delegation supports the UN and its work.
Uzra Zeya said there can be no forced relocation of civilians in Gaza.
She said the US continues to ask Israeli leaders to do more to protect civilians and adhere to international law.
Ms. Zeya added that the UN and other humanitarian personnel also require greater protection.
She stressed that incidents in the past week show that de-confliction remains a serious challenge.
US official raised concerns about the lack of safety at health facilities and other civilian infrastructure.
“Hamas’s brutal attacks unleashed this conflict,” she said.
She emphasized that the hostage crisis must be resolved, and the Council must finally condemn Hamas’s actions and demand the release of all hostages in Gaza.
US has repeatedly warned Iran not to engage in attacks that could lead to the spread of the conflict and will continue to take action to protect its personnel in the region, she said.
In responding to the crisis and efforts to end it, “the goal is a future where Gaza is never used as a platform for terror”, she said, adding that two States, with Israel’s security guaranteed, is the only guarantor to end this violence “once and for all”.
British Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Tariq Ahmad said that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was worsening daily with hundreds of thousands there facing the risk of famine.
“Their suffering, frankly put, is unacceptable and our priority must be to alleviate it,” he said.
He recalled Security Council Resolution 2720, he also urged Israel to “significantly increase” the flow of aid into Gaza, including through the opening of Ashdod Port and an immediate increase in access through the Karem Shalom crossing, on the Israel-Gaza frontier.
Lord Ahmad called on all Council members to collectively work towards a sustainable ceasefire.
Chief Minister of Sierra Leone, David Moinina Sengeh, expressed deep concern that Israel’s military operation has been followed by rhetoric calling for forcible displacement of Palestinians by some Israeli politicians.
“We condemn the rhetoric and reject any attempt to remove Palestinians from the Gaza strip or the West Bank either temporarily or permanently,” he said.
He called for accountability for all those responsible for violations of international law, in particular international humanitarian law.
David Moinina Sengeh noted the rising tensions in the West Bank, across the Blue Line in Lebanon, the Red Sea and other parts of the region.
He emphasized the need to continue exploring all diplomatic and political avenues toward finding a just and lasting solution, based on the two-States principle.
Egyptian representative said this is a war that continues to add to atrocities not seen in a century, and now the world awaits the ICJ’s judgment on the case South Africa presented. The end of this war has become a priority for the international community, especially as it spreads to neighboring territory. Indeed, the situation in the Red Sea is crucial for the world and must not be considered as separate from the crisis in Gaza.
It is imperative that Council resolution 2720 is implemented, he said.
He called for the opening of all crossing points to deliver aid to the enclave and the establishment of a related mechanism under Sigrid Kaag, the UN’s Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza.
A solution must be found to the current situation, which is the result of a political impasse, he said.
“Siloed solutions are doomed to failure,” he said. “We need to revisit the sole solution.”
He pointed out to the two-State plan, said there is only one dissenting voice: that of Israel.
In this regard, he underlined a need to join consensus “on the side of justice”.
Pakistan’s Ambassador Munir Akram said the Security Council had failed in its duty to prevent the war. He welcomed diplomatic efforts being made to advance a two-State solution, the only viable option for peace not just between Israel and Palestine, but Israel and the whole Islamic world.
He reiterated that without this solution, it will simply “consign the Middle East to perpetual conflict”.
Ambassador Munir Akram said that with Israel’s steadfast opposition, it is now time to address this “wanton rejection of peace”.
He called for a new Security Council resolution demanding the complete cessation of hostilities, full access to humanitarian assistance for Gazans and international protection for the Palestinian people.
He said this revived peace process should take place within the Security Council, with the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.
If Israel continues to refuse to cooperate, the Council, the General Assembly and all UN Member States must take steps to hold it accountable.
He said there were “numerous precedents” where pressure could be put on Israel to comply.
German Ambassador to the UN Antje Leendertse, condemned in the strongest terms Hamas’s “brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks” on and since 7 October, insisting that Israel has the right to self defence.
She added that for three months, Hamas has continued to attack Israel with rocket fire and used its own citizens as human shields.
Antje Leendertse called for all hostages to be released and for the militants to lay down their weapons.
She noted that amid a dire humanitarian situation, “life in Gaza is hell.”
Antje Leendertse called for increased and extended humanitarian pauses, improved access and more border crossings to be opened.
“Our collective goal is to pave the way for a sustainable ceasefire leading to lasting peace, based on the implementation of the two-State solution”, she added.
South Africa’s representative said that for international law to be credible, it should be uniformly applied and not selective.
“We cannot proclaim the importance of international law and the UN Charter in some situations and not in others as if the rule of law only applies to a select few,” he said.
“Owing to South Africa’s painful past experience of a system of apartheid, this impresses on us as Member States to take action in accordance with international law.”
South Africa opted to resort to international courts to seek justice for the people of Palestine, appeared before the ICJ on 11 January and called on the world court to issue provisional measures, including ordering Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza, he said.
He said that several countries and regional organizations have made public statements in support of South Africa’s proceedings against Israel, and some States have also indicated their desire to intervene in the proceedings after the hearing on provisional measures.
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the UN s Ravindra Raguttahalli said the massive loss of civilian lives in the Gaza Strip and the humanitarian crisis stemming from the conflict is “clearly unacceptable
“We have strongly condemned the death of civilians. It is critical to prevent further escalation of violence and hostilities. It is imperative to avoid the loss of civilian lives in any conflict situation,” he said.
He added that the impact of the crisis on shipping is another major concern.
Mr. Ravindra noted that the implications for India’s energy and economic interests in the region.
“This fraught situation is not to the benefit of any party, and this must be clearly recognized.”
He reiterated India’s “long-standing support” for the two-State solution, and urged all parties to deescalate, shun violence and avoid provocations.
“We firmly believe that only a two-State solution, achieved through direct and meaningful negotiations between both sides on final status issues, will deliver an enduring peace that the people of Israel and Palestine desire and deserve,” he said.
Assistant Minister for Political Affairs of United Arab Emirates, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, said the scale of suffering in Gaza competes with the darkest periods of history.
“This moment can be an inflection point, or it can be the point of no return,” she said, proposing a three-step plan to end the conflict, starting with an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
Second, shorter truces would allow for urgent humanitarian aid and services to reach those in need and for hostages to be released.
Finding pathways to similar agreements is essential, including the full implementation of Council resolutions 2712 and 2720, which must be fully implemented.
The third step must see any resolution to this conflict anchored in the two-State solution.
“We will not support a return to the failed status quo,” she said.
“Before, the two-State solution was the end point to where we envisioned our diplomatic efforts would lead. Now it must be our starting point.”
She said there is not only a moral and political duty to limit the expanding crisis in Gaza but also a strategic imperative if there is to be any hope of a prosperous future for the region, she said.
Foreign Affairs Minister of Saudi Arabia Waleed El-Khereiji said the priority was to alleviate the suffering and bring an end to the crisis in Palestine, and the Council must act to ensure an immediate ceasefire.
He said that the tensions are increasing in the region because of the “blind Israeli war machine”.
“We have warned against the spillover of this conflict, and now we see military operations in the Red Sea and in Yemen,” he added.
“We will spare no effort to restore peace in the region, and we call upon the Security Council to ensure that Israel stop its violations of the international law.
“We must adopt a common stance with regard to the ceasefire and recognize that Israel’s incendiary attitude undermines efforts to achieve stability in the region, including in Israel.”
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon, Abdallah Bou Habib, said the problems facing the region today reaffirm the importance of the UN mission, UNIFIL and the UN overall, for the protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
On the situation in Palestine, he said “we are unfortunately still looking for temporary measures whenever the conflict resurfaces.” For decades, the region has known neither peace nor security.
“Have not we learned anything from our past mistakes; is it not high time we acknowledge that we cannot cancel each other out?” he asked, wondering if the solution will be left to the next generation.
He added that a lasting solution is key for peace in the whole Middle East and so is the implementation of the two-State solution, for there is no peace without justice for Palestinians.
“We urge all the stakeholders not to fall into the Israeli trap to expand the war in the region,” he said.
“Lebanon does not want war. We chose peace and stability. Let us give peace a true chance before it is too late.”
“What happened on 7 October did not happen in a vacuum,” he said.
He added “It will happen again if we do not reach a global solution. We have an historic opportunity to advance peace, security and prosperity. Let us seize it since it might not come again.”
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