Statement by the Republic of Slovenia at UNSC meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

Thank you President.

I also wish to thank Ms. Msuya and Mr. Alakbarov for their briefings, and of course our thanks also to Ms. Ashing and Ms. Gritzewsky for their testimonies.

Mr. President,

We are meeting just over two weeks after the Israel’s announcement of its intention to expand its military campaign in Gaza.

At that time, Slovenia – together with the vast majority of this Council – condemned this escalation which can bring nothing but destruction and further suffering for civilians, medical and humanitarian workers, for journalists. What military necessity can justify the killing of a journalist, of a doctor, a humanitarian worker, or an attack on a hospital?

It will only add to an already catastrophic humanitarian situation on the ground. Unfortunately, those warnings were not heeded.

Mr. President,

Since that meeting, we have received news that should deeply shake us all: the United Nations-backed Food Security Classification mechanism has confirmed what many on the ground have been saying for months. Famine has taken hold of parts of Gaza.

The official declaration may be recent, but the devastating conditions have long been evident in the lives of children, adults, older persons in the Strip – visible to those willing to see and foreseeable to those willing to care.

Colleagues,

How many more reports do we actually need, how many more warnings do we require, before this Council acts in a decisive and united manner?

While Gaza suffers unimaginable devastation, we are also gravely alarmed by the continued deterioration of the situation in the West Bank, including ongoing incursions.

The recent approval of settlement construction plans in the E1 area is unacceptable and a clear violation of international law. This reckless move not only undermines the viability of Palestinian state, but also brings no benefit to the Israelis. Instead, it further entrenches insecurity, instability, and violence.

Mr. President,

It is clear to nearly every delegation in this chamber that the current trajectory is unsustainable and unacceptable. The longer the Security Council delays meaningful action, the more complicit we risk becoming in the suffering that continues to unfold.

We acknowledge and welcome the efforts of working bilaterally or within smaller coalitions to address the crisis. But let us be clear: the United Nations must be allowed to play its role.

This is precisely why the UN was created – to act when the world is confronted with threats to peace, gross violations of international law, and mass human suffering.

We need a ceasefire. We need full and unfettered humanitarian access – to feed the starving, heal the wounded and bury the dead. We need the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. We need the restoration of respect for international humanitarian and human rights law and with it some sense of basic human dignity.

These are not political demands—they are legal and moral imperatives.

Slovenia firmly believes that the United Nations has both the capacity and the legitimacy to help prevent further escalation and facilitate a path towards peace.

One day the future generations will look on us and ask – how could you allow for this to happen? If we don’t act, the history will judge us for sitting aside being quiet.

And the time to act is not tomorrow. The time is now.

I thank you.

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