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

Thank you Mr. President and I thank Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for her briefing. I welcome a number of high-level speakers, in particular Prime Minister of Qatar and Deputy Prime Minister of Jordan.

Colleagues,

Sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries across the region violated.

Security Council resolutions rejected, General Assembly processes ignored.

ICJ decision disregarded, advisory opinions ignored.

Civilians starved and killed.

International mechanisms flouted.

The UN pressured.

Humanitarian and medical workers, journalists attacked.

Inhumanity and simple cruelty.

A sense of complete impunity.

Now, negotiators attacked on a foreign soil.  

I wonder: is this how peace is pursued? Is this really a way to bring hostages home?   

Slovenia is gravely concerned over the latest escalation in the Middle East. We strongly condemn the Israeli attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Qatar, and we stand with solidarity with Qatar. We once again call for full respect of the UN Charter and rules of war. Nobody is above the law no matter how mighty one feels.

We commend the crucial and constructive role of Qatar, a key mediator for a ceasefire in Gaza and for the release of hostages. We thank them for their efforts and urge them to continue.

This Council has been unequivocal in our support to the role and work of the mediators – Eqypt, Qatar and the United States. Everyone around this table supports the process of mediation.

What more can be said in this Council?

How else can we say that all the red lines have been crossed? And that enough is really enough.

Colleagues,

It is not the attempts by Council members that are preventing solutions. It is allowing this sense of impunity of Israel to continue.

That’s why country after country are announcing bilateral measures aiming at Israeli government to reconsider its current policy and to return to respecting international law obligations.

They are our response to persistent violations of international humanitarian law, to impunity and to what we now clearly see – a flawed commitment to negotiations.

All these measures are not gestures. They are not performative actions.

These are sincere acts of countries, leaders and global public conscious of our responsibility to humanity and of our promise of never again.

Colleagues,

On this day of 9/11 when we commemorate horrible terror attacks on the United States and pay tribute to innocent victims, Slovenia reaffirms its resolute stand against terrorism.

We repeat our condemnation of the Hamas brutal attack on the 7^th of October. We take this opportunity to strongly condemn the latest terror attack on civilians in Jerusalem.

This is yet another reason for peace efforts to double. In the words of Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo: the urgency has never been greater.

This war must end. Suffering must end.

Mr. President,

In the midst of the latest escalation, Gaza humanitarian catastrophe continues. Window of opportunity to prevent famine from spreading across the Strip is closing. New offensive is relentlessly pounding what is left in the middle of ruins. Instead of packing a backpack to start a new school year, Gaza children are forced to pack what is left of their belongings to be displaced, yet again.

So let me state the obvious: we need a ceasefire. Hostages must be released. Hindrance of aid deliveries must end.

The negotiations have certainly seen its share of obstacles from both parties, but an escalation of this sort is not contributing to peace.

We appeal for a renewed commitment to negotiations in good faith by both parties to the conflict.

Thank you.

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