Statement by Ambassador Vassily A. Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, at the Security Council on the explanation of vote on the draft resolution submitted by the United States, on the protection of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories
The Russian Federation voted against draft resolution S/2018/520, submitted by the United States, on the situation in the Palestinian occupied territories, although we would be ready to agree with some of its provisions.
We certainly recognize Israel’s right to security. Our vote is connected to the fact the document represents the latest attempt by the United States to revise the international legal basis for a settlement in the Middle East. Not only that, it also included elements that do not correspond to Russia’s position.
The United States has repeatedly urged the members of the Security Council to maintain a balanced view when considering crisis situations in the Middle East. However, it upset that balance in its own draft resolution. We are concerned about the fact that the draft resolution of the United States did not include any calls for creating conditions conducive to resuming talks on final status issues, with the aim of finding a path to a lasting settlement on the basis of a two-State solution for both Israel and Palestine, which would exist in security within internationally recognized borders.
Even references to the Arab Peace Initiative and the Middle East Quartet, which remains the unique mediation mechanism approved by the Security Council, were removed.
We encourage the commencement of practical work aimed at launching direct PalestinianIsraeli negotiations. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the Permanent Observer of the Observer State of Palestine.
