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

At the outset, let me join other colleagues in condemning the terror attack at Bondi Beach in Australia. We convey our condolences to the families of the victims as well as to the people and Government of Australia.

I thank Mr. Alakbarov for presentation of the report mandated by Security Council Resolution 2334.

Colleagues,

This is likely the last briefing on Palestinian Question during current Council membership of Slovenia. Without a doubt, this is the defining issue of the work of the Security Council in this period. A question that will likely define the future of the international community and I believe, it was also a milestone that defined many of us as diplomats on professional level as well as on a personal, human level.

Albeit with regular violations, ceasefire in Gaza is finally in place and we continue calling on all parties to maintain it. But peace is nowhere near.

Despite the repeated calls for respect of international law, countless violations were committed in Gaza on our watch. Despite not calling it as such, crippling annexation is taking hold in the West Bank.

Without redress, we are bound for endless instability, hatred and extremism.

We must never forget: The voice of Hind Rajab. The screams of people burnt to death after a strike on a tent camp in Rafah. The testimonies of released hostages. The briefings shaking us to our cores as we witnessed people starving and humanitarian workers being killed, while those responsible continue to act with impunity. And we must never forget the many Palestinians still in arbitrary Israeli detention, among them many medical staff, including Dr. Abu Safiya.

Peace is nowhere near. In these two years, Slovenia acted with conviction of doing what is right. We were active in this Council, through initiatives and calls for Council meetings, working particularly closely with Algeria, Guyana and other E10 members. We stood up to attacks against UNRWA through shared commitments supported by over 120 Member States. We recognized the State of Palestine and offered direct financial support to the Palestinian Authority.  We voted for Palestine’s membership in the UN. We joined Norway in calling for an ICJ advisory opinion and we stand in clear support to the ICC.

What keeps us up at night are the unspeakable horrors taking place in Gaza, above and below the ground, and often overseen violations in the West Bank, such as demolitions in Bustan, displacements from refugee camps, settlement expansions, rising settler violence or now building a new wall in the Jordan valley and plans to initiate land registration in the West Bank.

We strongly condemn the forced entry of Israeli authorities into the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem, the seizure of property and removal of the UN flag. Such actions violate the inviolability of UN premises and breach international legal obligations, as outlined by the latest ICJ Advisory Opinion. We call on Israel to fully respect international law and ensure the safety and protection of UN personnel.  

We express our profound concern over reports of consideration of sanctions against UNRWA and appeal against this step.

What keeps us up at night is the amount of work that still needs to be done. The three most immediate steps must be to ensure ceasefire holds in line with resolution 2803, that a pathway to a credible and time-bound political process is established on the basis of the New York Declaration, and that accountability is ensured. As in any other case, the future of Palestine must be discussed with Palestinians and the Palestinian Authority at the table, and with a strong role of this Council.

Colleagues,

Palestinians have no other land. Israelis have no other neighbourhood. And we, collectively, have no other solution than the one of two states, living side by side in peace and security. We simply should do more, to prevent history from repeating itself. For now, peace is nowhere near.

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