Explanation of vote by Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the UN Samuel Žbogar at UNSC meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

Thank you very much, Madam President.

Colleagues,

In an open letter published in a Slovenian newspaper this week, a Palestinian doctor described Gaza as a place where life slipped beyond danger and beyond hunger – into ashes and sorrow.

As weeks and months have passed, the briefings we received in this Chamber have become increasingly distressing. Just ashes and sorrow. Appeals and pressure from humanitarian organizations, civil society, UN membership, and global public opinion for the Council to act have only intensified.

With developments on the ground our messages became stronger and sharper. At the last Council meeting on the Middle East, several members spoke of the Council’s responsibility.

It is the weight of the responsibility as an elected member of this Council that led us to react in response to the tragic situation in Gaza. We extend our thanks to Algeria for initiating this process with the support of the Arab group.

It was never our intention to provoke a veto. Anyone who has followed Slovenia’s engagement in this Council will know by now that we have only one agenda: to unite, to build consensus and to bridge divides. Our intentions have always been sincere.

We were aware of different positions inside the Council. This is why the draft resolution had only one focus – a humanitarian one. We, the elected members thought that the Council should unite around this urgent demand for unimpeded humanitarian access and for food to be delivered to starving civilians.  

Starving civilians and inflicting immense suffering is inhumane and against international law. No war objective can justify such action. We have hoped and expected that this was our shared understanding.

Madam President,

We continue to support the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Egypt and Qatar to bring the parties back to the deal as stipulated in Council’s resolution 2735.

We also support the convening of the international conference on the two-state solution to be held by the General Assembly this month.

However, the role of this Council in achieving peace in the Middle East is clear – it cannot be substituted nor can it be delegated.

A veto prevented the Council from taking action today. However, the resolution drafted by the members elected by the UN membership reflects the strong support of the membership for the efforts of the UN and its humanitarian partners to deliver aid to Gaza. In accordance with humanitarian principles.

Let them work.

Faced with a choice between abandoning the rules that have guided the international community for the past 80 years and a veto, we chose humanity.

As humanity has been tested live-stream from Gaza, this draft resolution emerged from our shared sense of responsibility.

Responsibility towards Gaza civilians, towards Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners alike.

Responsibility towards wider UN membership, towards public opinion, towards humanitarian workers.

And responsibility in front of history.

The resolution was not adopted. 14 votes in favor however carry a strong message.

Enough of suffering of civilians. Enough of food being used as a weapon.

Enough is enough is enough.    

Madam President, colleagues,

We tried. We continue to try.

Thank you.

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