Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at UNSC meeting on the Middle East, including the question of Palestine
Mr. President,
We thank Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland and UNRWA Director Philippe Lazzarini for their briefings. We listened closely to the briefing by Mr. Daniel Levy.
Today's discussion of the situation in the Middle East takes place three weeks after the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli confrontation, which resulted in an armed standoff and human casualties. Another cycle of tension was provoked by Israeli Air Force strikes on the Gaza Strip which drew the, in response to which began shelling of Israeli territory. It is extremely disappointing that this is by far not the first time such outbreaks of violence occur.
In this regard, we welcome the conclusion of the ceasefire agreement and call on all parties involved to exercise restraint, avoid unilateral steps and provocative rhetoric, comply with international humanitarian law and prevent a new escalation of hostilities. We especially note the mediation efforts of Egypt and Qatar, which finally made it possible to establish ceasefire. We are concerned that if this scenario reoccurs it might lead to the resumption of a full-scale military clash and further deterioration of the already deplorable situation in the Gaza Strip, whose population needs urgent humanitarian assistance, including in the restoration of destroyed infrastructure.
Mr. President,
It is becoming ever more clear that in the context of the chronically unresolved Palestinian question and the lack of due attention from the international community, any provocation could lead to a new large-scale regional confrontation. The trigger for the resumption of violence can be the ongoing unilateral measures, taken primarily by Israel, to create irreversible situation on the ground – the construction of settlements in the occupied territory, the eviction of Palestinians and the destruction of their homes, expropriation of property, arbitrary arrests and a de facto carte blanche by the Israeli military to the use of force, systematic violations of the status of the Holy Sites of Jerusalem.
Over the past month, Israeli authorities have provisionally approved a plan to build 1,446 housing units in the settlement of Sur Baher in the southern part of the Jerusalem Municipality. A decision was made to expand the settlement of Mevo Horon in Ramallah governorate by 251 housing units. The annual report of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict, which expresses concern about the number of Palestinian children killed by the Israeli army, is also indicative: in 2021 alone, 78 minors were killed, 982 were injured and 637 were arrested.
The fact that Western countries de facto turn a blind eye to the systematic violations of Palestinian rights during the longest occupation in post-war world history, against the background of excessive attention to certain regions and conflict situations, suggests clear double standards.
Mr. President,
It has recently become obvious that one of the factors hindering the achievement of a just peace for the Palestinians is the actions of the United States, which seek to monopolize the peace process and adjustit according to the patterns they need. It clearly shows attempts to impose "economic peace" on the Palestinians in exchange for satisfying their legitimate aspirations to create their own independent state. Washington effectively blocked the activities of the Quartet of international mediators, whose last ministerial-level meeting took place in 2016.
For our part, we advocate for a just solution to the Palestinian question on the basis of a two-state solution and a universally recognized international legal framework providing for the creation of an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital. In the course of direct negotiations between the parties, other final status issues should also be settled, including the problems of borders, refugees and water resources. In doing so, concerns about Israel's security must be taken into account.
We are taking consistent steps to support the collective efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East. We will continue to work with all stakeholders in the region and in the UN Security Council.
Thank you.
