Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question 

Thank you, Mister President,

We welcome you’re presiding over the Council today, demonstrating importance that Switzerland attaches to the responsibility of the Council towards the current tragic crisis in the Middle East. I also want to thank Special Coordinator Wennesland for his commitment and for his briefing today.

Colleagues,

Slovenia is horrified by the level of death, injury, destruction and suffering in North Gaza. We are shocked watching the most devastating bombardment of civilian population and civilian infrastructure since the Second World War. We are shocked by reports of severely maimed children left to die in Gaza because their transfer for treatment abroad was denied by Israel. We are shocked by information on health workers being detained and others being prevented from saving people’s lives. Shocked by the fact that everything is lacking: food, life-saving health care, shelter. But first and foremost, we are shocked by the lack of humanity.

We remind that collective punishment and starvation is prohibited as a method of warfare. We reject forced displacement. As violations continue, we repeat our call for full respect of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law. We repeat our call on Israel to allow unimpeded access to United Nations and humanitarian organizations. We call for aid to be delivered at scale. Famine is at the doors of Gaza. Once famine is declared, it is already too late.

We furthermore call for establishment of adequate conditions for finalization of the polio vaccination campaign which has been postponed.

Instead of steps taken to alleviate human suffering, it seems steps are taken to augment it. We denounce the passing of legislation on UNRWA in Knesset. If implemented, it would have severe impact on the work of UNRWA in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and potentially in the region. UNRWA is the backbone of humanitarian response in Gaza and a lifeline for Palestinian refugees. This has been reaffirmed in shared commitments on UNRWA, which have garnered support of 123 signatories, including all members of the Security Council. Full implications of the laws are yet to be analyzed. However, their implementation would in our view constitute a direct breach of Israel’s obligations under international law and the UN Charter.

We are alarmed by the situation in the West Bank, including settlement policies, demolitions and restrictions. The ICJ has been clear: the occupation is unlawful and it must end. We condemn settler violence, including in the context of the ongoing olive harvesting season.

We once again underline our call for an immediate ceasefire. As suffering is deepening, it is more essential than ever to take immediate steps towards ceasefire and release of hostages. We welcome efforts of our partners to achieve a diplomatic solution. This includes short term arrangements which could contribute to alleviating suffering of people in Gaza. This must be complemented by serious and irreversible steps for achieving a long-term solution which can only be in the form of the two-state solution.

Mister President,

Just as Palestinian and Israeli people, people in Lebanon deserve peace. We urge Israel to halt its military operation. Escalation of conflicts cannot bring peace and security to peoples and states in the region. We are appalled by the deepening humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, including through impact of airstrikes and the mass displacement. We condemn the attacks on UNIFIL, and underline the need to ensure and respect safety and security of UN peacekeepers. We welcome the holding of International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty in Paris. Swift and full implementation of resolution 1701 is essential.

Colleagues,

As the situation is becoming more extreme, our opposition to violations of international law must become stronger. Silence is assent. Therefore, we cannot allow ourselves to accept a numbing effect of the scale of violation. We also cannot allow ourselves to be disillusioned by lack of action in this Council. This Council could do and should do more. The war must end.

Thank you.

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