Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at a UN Security Council Meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
Mm. President,
We thank Nickolay Mladenov for his meaningful report about the situation in the Middle East and in the occupied Palestinian territories. We have closely followed statement by Ms. Adele Raemer. We cannot but agree with the key point of the Special Coordinator that negative trends in Middle Eastern settlement do not simply dominate, but are approaching a critical mark.
Recently there have been very dangerous trends at this track – unilateral steps and aggressive revision of previous arrangements become a common thing.
UNGA votes on “Middle Eastern package” of resolutions that took place earlier this month and the last month reiterate unity of the overwhelming majority of UN member states regarding generally recognized principles of Palestinian-Israeli settlement.
Russia did and does support a just solution to the Palestinian problem on the basis of relevant UNGA and UNSC resolutions, Madrid principles, and the Arab Peace Initiative that envision establishment of an independent, sovereign, territorially integral Palestinian state within the borders of 1967 with capital in East Jerusalem.
We strongly disagree with recent decision of the U.S. to no longer consider Israel’s settlement activity a violation of international law on the pretext of recognizing “the reality on the ground”. Another link of this chain is decisions of the U.S. Administration regarding Jerusalem and illegitimate recognition of Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, which is a severe violation of the international law. In this context, we would like to reiterate that Golan Heights, without any doubt, are a territory of Syria.
We believe it counter-productive to lift the task of searching for a sustainable political settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict from the agenda. The only reliable way to solve all existing contradictions is direct negotiations between the sides. In our view, it is both senseless and perilous to abandon the idea of relaunching the talks and substitute it by palliative economic initiatives.
Mm. President,
Unfortunately, when we discuss this topic, we keep going around in circles, repeating thing over and over again.
The lack of solution to the Palestinian problem (which is central for the Middle Eastern region) continues to encourage extremist sentiment in the region and outside. There are occasional outbreaks of armed confrontation around Gaza Strip. Discontent in the Palestinian and Arab “street” is growing. Among standing irritants are Israel’s settlement activity and demolition of Palestinian buildings. The relevant report of the Secretary-General that was published recently addresses these expanding practices.
Against this background it is important as never before to mobilize efforts of all constructive sides of the global community to maintain the universally acknowledged basis of Middle Eastern settlement. We are interested in coordinating activities with influential international stakeholders and the United Nations. We need to continue working with Palestinian and Israeli partners, and MENA states. In this regard, we deem it meaningful to deploy a Security Council mission in the region.
In order to settle down the situation and create environment for search for political solutions, we call upon both Israeli and Palestinian sides to abstain from aggressive rhetoric and activity. Proclaimed plans to annex the Jordan Valley, the settlement activity, demolition of Palestinian buildings and strikes on Gaza – we believe all this is unacceptable, just like missile launches against Israel’s territory and incitement to violence.
Israel and Palestine are of great religious importance for hundreds of thousand adherents of monotheistic religions. The city of Jerusalem has a unique status. It is the place where you get a distinct feeling that it is absolutely necessary to find a way for adherents of all religions to co-exist there. We commend the historic role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as keeper of relics of this city. Achieve peace at these territories promptly – this is something that falls into interests of all Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
We believe support for the UNRWA that has been expressed is crucial. We have said on many occasions that UNRWA activity has both a humanitarian and a political dimension, that it produces a stabilizing impact on the Palestinian territories and countries in the Middle East. Therefore, attempts to discredit UNRWA and deprive it of financing are shortsighted. It is naïve and quite reckless to hope that once UNRWA is cancelled, the problem with Palestinian refugees will dissipate on its own. We hope the change of leaders in UNRWA will not affect activities of the Agency that for decades has proven to be effective and demanded.
Thank you.
