Statement by Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Samuel Žbogar at the UNSC meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

Thank you Mr. President.

I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Alakbarov.

Mr. President,

Just a week ago, this Council adopted resolution 2803. Many of us voted for this resolution to uphold the ceasefire in Gaza. In the context of the fragile situation we observe, we call on all parties to fully respect the ceasefire in good faith and without delay, as per the resolution.

But ceasefire is just the start. After two years of deprivation, destruction and death, people in Gaza need all hands on deck. As the winter approaches, humanitarian needs remain high. Access to food, clean water, shelter and medicines continues to be constrained. In line with the most recent ICJ Advisory Opinion we repeat calling for lifting all restrictions on aid and humanitarian action, including the work of international NGOs.

We welcome the response of the UN and its humanitarian partners scaling up assistance. This includes the vaccination campaign conducted by WHO, UNICEF and UNRWA.

Additionally, we underline our deep concerns over reportings on the so-called mystery planes from Gaza. While more information needs to be shared with the Council, we resolutely stand against forced or encouraged displacement.

Mr. President,

Ceasefire must also spill over to the West Bank where flames of violence against Palestinians are spreading rapidly. We strongly condemn rising settler violence. We are alarmed by the ongoing displacement and mass destruction in the refugee camps and the surrounding areas in the occupied West Bank.

Settlers’ violence must be stopped. We take note of the recent step of Israel to demolish an outpost. We urge for more determined steps and an end to occupation, in line with the ICJ Advisory Opinion of July 2024.

Slovenia calls for full respect of international law, in ensuring compliance and pursuing accountability. True healing requires real accountability. And true healing demands doing better, much better to prevent another cycle of violence and hatred.

We welcome the launch of the Palestine Donor Group in Brussels with participation of EU Member States, international partners, UN agencies and international financial institutions. We need a strong and reformed Palestinian Authority  under which Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem are unified. We repeat our call on Israel to hand over tax revenues that belong to the Palestinian Authority.

We continue to call on Israel for the release of Palestinian civilians from Gaza, especially children, humanitarian and medical workers, held in confinement without protection guaranteed by the international humanitarian law.

While resolutely standing against terrorism, we also stand in defense of human rights. We are deeply alarmed by the attempts to reinstate the death penalty for persons defined as “terrorists”. We urge Israel to refrain from undermining the rule of law through the use of a penalty that the international community has pledged to abolish.

Mr. President,

We simply cannot forget the words we heard in this chamber. On the new medical term unique to Gaza WCNSF – “wounded child, no surviving family” by the MSF. Or the terrible description on what malnourishment and starvation mean for a child’s body by Save the Children.

We know trauma of the Gaza war will span across generations both in Israel and in Palestine. We call for collective efforts of the international community to address it, and to prevent further hate, conflict and extremism. Full implementation of the resolution 2803 in good faith and without delay is a first step.

I thank you.

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