Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at a UNGA Meeting on the Use of the Veto on a UNSC Draft Resolution on the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
Madam President,
Distinguished colleagues,
Almost two weeks ago, on September 18th, the United States for the seventh time since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict escalated on October 7 2023 used its veto, blocking a draft resolution prepared by non-permanent members of the Security Council to address the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
The document contained nothing that would not find support among the absolute majority of delegations in this chamber. It provided for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, the release of all hostages held by Hamas, the lifting of the humanitarian blockade of Gaza, and the provision of safe and unhindered access to those in need. Unfortunately, Washington and West Jerusalem are stubbornly trying to portray these basic humanitarian elements, aimed at alleviating the suffering of Palestinian people, as a reward from the international community to Hamas for its terrorist attack of October 7.
The same distorted logic is also being applied to the recent wave of recognitions of Palestine by a number of Western states. It is difficult to understand how the international community is indulging Hamas when it demands the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and when the New York Declaration clearly states that future control over Gaza should be transferred to the Palestinian Authority. While the Hamas attack of October 7th undoubtedly deserves condemnation, it cannot serve as a justification for the collective punishment of Palestinian civilians or as a pretext to fuel a war in the Middle East.
In our view, this latest veto more likely served as a gift to Israel – an undeserved reward to West Jerusalem for its course aimed at pursuing the military operation in Gaza, with no regard for the civilian casualties and the horrific humanitarian catastrophe in the strip. Washington is thus trying to boil down the role of the Security Council to that of a passive observer of this unfolding tragedy. After all, even the resolutions adopted over the past two years have either been publicly declared to be legally null and void, as with Resolution 2728, or have simply remained “on paper,” as with Resolution 2735 and the notorious “Biden plan.”
However, the Security Council must take action rather than settle with the role assigned to it by the US and Israel. Our efforts must focus on furthering the two-state solution, which West Jerusalem is trying to keep off the table by hook or by crook. We note that the situation in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT) and in the Middle East will be one of the key agenda items of the first Russia-Arab summit, which will be held in Moscow on October 15.
We stand convinced that the principled position of 14 out of 15 Security Council members and our collective efforts are non the less bearing fruit. The Security Council's consideration of the draft resolution, as well as the recent High-Level International Conference for the implementation of the two-State solution, have given impetus to the negotiation process around the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. In this context, serious attention should be given to the plan presented recently by US President Donald Trump to end Israel's military operation in Gaza. The plan includes such important elements as a ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the enclave, the release of hostages and detainees, increased humanitarian aid under the auspices of the UN and the Red Crescent, and the refusal to forcibly displace Gazans and to occupy or annex Gaza.
We note that this initiative has been supported by leading countries of the Arab-Muslim world. The Palestinian Authority is also ready to engage constructively with all partners to develop a comprehensive peace agreement. It is important that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not spoken out against the plan either.
For our part, we stand convinced that any steps and initiatives geared towards immediate cessation of hostilities and bloodshed in Gaza merit our support. The next stage should be the launch of large-scale efforts to rebuild the infrastructure of the Gaza Strip, which is now lying in rubble due to the hostilities.
We do hope that the plan will receive sustained support from both sides and that the successful implementation thereof will pave the way for the resumption of the peace process on a universally recognized international legal basis centered around the two-state solution, which is an only viable alternative. This is all the more so given that during the two rounds of the High-Level International Conference on Palestine, a broad consensus was reaffirmed regarding the recognition of the legitimate right and aspirations of the Palestinian people to their own independent state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting in peace and security with Israel. This is precisely the position that Russia has consistently and unwaveringly pursued for many years.
Thank you.
