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 Madam President,

I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Fletcher for his briefing. I also want to thank him for his efforts and I want to thank and recognize sacrifices made by the humanitarian workers in Gaza and the region. You are doing everything you can.

I would like to make four points.

First, in conflicts we as Slovenia don’t take sides. We stand with peace, protection of civilians and international law.  

We entered the Security Council with an idealistic aim of helping extending the zones of peace, protecting civilians and promoting respect for international law.

And yet it seems so difficult to work for peace. It seems so difficult for warring parties to surrender to peace.

Today, Israel resumed hostilities, setting in motion a new wave of strikes and evacuation orders. Hundreds of Palestinians were killed just today, and two million of them are facing a new cycle of hardship, destruction and relentless fear. We condemn these attacks and we call on Israel to stop them immediately.

Second, Slovenia has been supporting calls for the ceasefire time and again, and we continue calling on the parties to return to the agreement made with the support of mediators and guarantors – the United States, Qatar and Egypt – in line with the Council’s resolution 2735.

Six weeks of ceasefire have offered a much needed relief to the people in Gaza and to the people of Israel, finally reuniting them with hostages.

The Council should now be focusing on discussing the plans of rebuilding of basic infrastructure and reconstruction, in line with the vision provided by our Arab partners. This should be the time we launch a process leading to two state solution.

Instead, we are back to pleading for sparing lives of civilians, Palestinians and hostages, and for allowing food and water delivery to Gaza. This is wrong in so many levels.

Humanitarian aid and access to basic goods and services, including electricity, cannot be politicized. International law is clear, and it must be respected. Crossings to Gaza must be opened, aid must flow in and humanitarian operations must run unimpeded.

Third, we want to express our extreme concern over the information of plans related to humanitarian space, humanitarian bubbles or whatever euphemism one likes. We also underline our strong rejection of any plans for resettlement of Palestinians.

Forth, it is roughly a year from the ICJ binding order on provisional measures focused on humanitarian aid, famine and starvation in the case brought forward by South Africa.

It is unacceptable that our conversations are still the same and that Council resolutions and ICJ orders are disregarded.

Madam President,

To conclude and to summarize. The resumed killings and destruction must end.

Aid is not negotiable. It should not be weaponized.

We denounce these actions. Just as we denounce hostage-taking by Hamas.

In Gaza, both Palestinians and hostages are being sacrificed.

This vile war should not continue being fought on the shoulders of civilians.

This is not only tragic for Palestinians and hostages in Gaza but also for the credibility and relevance of the Security Council as the body responsible for maintenance of international peace and security.

Thank you.

Recent Statements