Explanation of vote by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at UNSC vote on Russia-proposed amendments to a draft resolution (put forward by Brazil) on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
Before the vote:
Mr.President,
At the consultations on 16 October, many members of this Council tried to talk us out of putting our de-politicized humanitarian draft resolution to vote. We were asked to wait 24 hours so you could provide a “consensual” draft. We did not consent, which was the right thing to do because after almost two days an updated draft was presented for consideration that contained brief but rather controversial amendments that had not been discussed with UNSC members. We regret that the Council wasted another precious 36 hours, during which the number of casualties continued to grow. Several hundred civilians were killed yesterday by an air strike against a hospital in Gaza. Against this backdrop, idleness of the Security Council appears very unsightly. Yesterday, we warned our colleagues that there was no time to waste.
Colleagues,
Let me be frank, for the time of diplomatic metaphors apparently has passed. Everyone who either did not support or voted against our humanitarian draft calling for an immediate ceasefire must realize that they bear part of the responsibility for what happened in Gaza.
To our regret, draft resolution in front of us that was put forward by Brazil will not help to prevent this tragedy from repeating itself. This draft contains no direct call for a ceasefire. This language, which is crucial for de-escalation on the ground, has been replaced with a call to humanitarian pauses to be limited solely to providing unimpeded humanitarian access for the UN agencies. But this is not the same thing. “Humanitarian pauses” will not help to put an end to the bloodshed. This is something that only a ceasefire can do.
Besides, the draft still contains a number of political elements. While condemning one of the sides, they do not send sufficient incentive signals to the other about the inadmissibility of deadly attacks on civilians and civil facilities in Gaza. I think everyone realizes the importance of this now.
In order to fix these drawbacks, we proposed two amendments to your draft resolution. The first one adds a paragraph to the operative part with an unconditional condemnation of indiscriminate attacks on civilian population and civil facilities in Gaza, including yesterday’s missile attack against al-Ahli hospital, as well as strong condemnation of steps towards starting a blockade. The other amendment adds another operative paragraph calling for an immediate, durable, and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire.
If our proposed amendments fail to be incorporated in the text of the resolution, it will not help to improve the disastrous humanitarian situation in Gaza. On the contrary, it will exacerbate the rift in the Security Council and polarize positions of members of the international community.
We call on UNSC members to vote in support of Russia’s proposed amendments.
Thank you.
After the vote:
Mr.President,
Colleagues,
The vote on amendments proposed by Russia – call for an immediate ceasefire and condemnation of attacks against civilians - dotted the i's. The delegations who abstained or voted against actually stood against ending the bloodshed in the Middle East. There can be no other explanation. Though of course you are going to find some formal justification such as “unbalanced language”. But whatever it is, this is going to sound pathetic in current circumstances. You have made your choice, and you will have to be responsible for that in front of your people, countries of the Middle Eastern region, and millions of civilians whose lives are at deadly risk.
Thank you.
