Statement by Ambassador Samuel Žbogar, chargé d’affaires, at the Tenth Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly

Mr. President,

Gaza doesn’t exist anymore. It is destroyed. Palestinians are facing hunger, despair and death.

We have said it before: history is the harshest critic of inaction, and history is being written as we sit here today.

It has been a year of misery. Misery of the people in Israel during the Hamas attack on 7 October. Misery of the hostages kept in Gaza and their families and friends waiting for their return in agony. Misery of the people in Gaza experiencing violence, displacement, killing, hunger and a lack of the most basic items for survival. Their suffering and agony continue as we meet today.

Despite the sound of alarm bells every step of the way, the collective response system, vested primarily in the Security Council, has failed again and again. A terrible chapter of our generation’s story, one day our history, is being written.

Quite frankly, the elected members of the Security Council did not want to be a part of that history. We were elected by the membership of this Assembly with a clear mandate of the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Slovenia’s Security Council candidature had a clear message: building trust, securing our future. We keep trying to step up to the plate. The elected members of the Council built trust among each other to carry the responsibility together.

We acted to secure a different future, a future of peace and prosperity, for children and future generations in Palestine and in Israel.

Day in, day out, we continue to observe the suffering of the people in the Middle East. We continue to see the evolution of misery that has become a clear threat to international peace and security. We therefore regret the use of the veto on a clear demand for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. And a demand for the release of the hostages.

Mr. President,

If we want to secure a different future for the Palestinian children, we must achieve a ceasefire and an end to the war in Gaza.

We must also do everything possible to support the work of UNRWA and its personnel in the field. Firstly, and let me quote the Secretary-General from his recent letters to the General Assembly and to the Security Council, quote:

“because UNRWA is the backbone of the United Nations humanitarian relief operations, providing a lifeline, shelter and other support for the large majority of the population of nearly 2,3 million in Gaza who have all been affected by the ongoing conflict,” end of quote.

Secondly, because UNRWA has been key to securing the future of children in Gaza for decades. From their first vaccinations to their first steps in education, all the way to vocational and training centers, with continuous psychological support to nurture their well-being given the difficult circumstances in which they grow up. UNRWA is not indispensable just for their survival in this war, UNRWA is crucial for a chance to build a life worth living in Gaza. It has decades of experience, knowledge, capacities and trust.

We take seriously allegations against UNRWA employees brought forward in January but point out that the Colonna Report has found that UNRWA already has robust procedures and mechanisms to ensure the neutrality of the Agency and its staff. We recognize that further improvements could be made. In this regard, we welcome UNRWA’s Action Plan to implement the Report’s recommendations.

With regard to comments on textbooks used in UNRWA schools made earlier in this hall, I want to quote from the Colonna report, quote: “The Chair’s assessment is that UNRWA has been responsive to allegations of neutrality breaches and criticism about the textbooks and initiated a range of initiatives to ensure neutrality of its teaching material and the teaching,” end of quote.

In addition, UNRWA has worked with UNESCO since 2011 to reform curricula and teaching materials.

Colleagues,

I wish to underline that UNRWA‘s work is mandated by the UN General Assembly as a promise of a just solution of the Palestinian refugee question. It contributes to the broader efforts toward achieving a two-state solution, which is the only just and sustainable solution for peace and security of both Palestinians and Israelis.

UNRWA reflects the historical responsibility of the collective membership of the UNnited Nations UNRWA is part of the social fabric of its areas of operations. It is a factor of stability. In line with the shared commitments on UNRWA which enjoys 123 signatories, we reaffirm the vital role of the Agency. We repeat our call on the Israeli Government not to implement its laws concerning UNRWA.

No, there are no alternatives to UNRWA.

Mr. President,

An Agency we established is under threat. It is an agency acting on our behalf, on behalf of the values and principles of this organization. We need to support it.  

We are all UNRWA.

Today, this Assembly will make two important decisions. It will vote on two resolutions: a “demand for a ceasefire in Gaza” and “support for the mandate of UNRWA”.

Both far from what this Organisation should be offering to Palestinians, yet both with an important message: The world has not forgotten Gaza.

There is no reason for this war to continue. We need a ceasefire now. We need to bring hostages home now.

Slovenia has cosponsored both resolutions and intends to vote in favour. We call on others to do the same.

Thank you.

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