Explanation of vote by Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Federation Dmitry Polyanskiy after the UNSC vote on a UAE-proposed draft resolution on the Middle East (Palestine)
Mr.President,
I do not think it is going to be an overstatement if I say that today has been one of the darkest days in the history of the Middle East.
Having blocked, in the most cynical way, the call for a ceasefire in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone, our colleagues from the United States have passed a death sentence on thousands, if not tens of thousands civilians in Palestine and Israel, including women and children, as well as UN staff trying to help them. History will give an assessment to these actions by Washington. One can say whatever nice-sounding and empty words about democracy, human rights, women, peace and security, some rules and some order, but we have seen the real price of them now, when two members of the Security Council chose to remain complicit in the ruthless massacre carried out by Israel. I am not saying that just to hurt our American colleagues. I am sure that the outcome of our vote has reverberated in the hearts of ordinary people in both the United States and Great Britain, whose calls for peace and reason have gone unheeded by the ruling elites. I am sure that they will still have their say.
Here in the Security Council, we have no other choice but to redouble and triple our efforts to find a solution that would alleviate the suffering of civilians within the limited and toothless framework that Washington and London have left to us. It is important to ensure the implementation of UNSC resolution 2712 however we may feel about it. We look forward to the United Nations Secretary-General to provide proposals on as soon as possible on how to monitor the implementation of 2712. We hope that at least something can be done within this framework. As we suggested earlier, one option would be to expand the mandate of the UN Truce Supervision Organization. In addition, we expect the UN General Assembly to speak out once again. We cannot and must not leave innocent Palestinians and Israelis at the mercy of those for whom war is a geopolitical game and a source of enrichment.
Thank you.
