Statement by Representative of Slovenia to the UN Security Council Ambassador Samuel Žbogar at the briefing on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question

Thank you very much, Madam President and I want to thank the briefers Mr. Rajasingham and Ms. Soeripto.

Colleagues, there are 15 of us around this table in the Security Council, 15 of us with a responsibility to protect civilians in Gaza.

Were we meeting in the north of Gaza today, all 15 of us would be skipping meals in the past months.

10 of us would go entire days and nights without eating.

Half of us would be in desperate need of humanitarian aid.

And finally, at least 5 of us, would be parents to severely acutely malnourished children – life-threatening and with life-long consequences.

We are not meeting in Gaza but listening to Ms. Soeripto maybe, we should have met in Gaza. We are meeting at the UN Security Council where we know very well that looming famine in the north of Gaza and the risk of famine across the rest of the Gaza strip can be prevented.

Conflict induced and man-made famine means the absolute failure of the international community and gross violation of international humanitarian law. Starvation is used as a weapon of war. Waiting for a famine declaration will not change anything on the ground, unfortunately. But we know what will: an immediate ceasefire.

Full, safe, secure and unhindered humanitarian access, in particular through land, to provide safe, nutritious and sufficient food, water and medicines will. The restoration of health, water and sanitation services and energy provision will. The adequate shelters for civilians will.

Madam President,

For the aid to reach people in need, we need humanitarian workers. The most brave and empathetic souls that humanity can produce. They are sacrificing their security, their lives to save others.

They must be able to fulfill their calling without constant fear. They must be granted safety, security, freedom of movement and the necessary equipment and support. We repeat our continuous call for full respect of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law. This includes ensuring the safety and security of United Nations and all other personnel engaged in humanitarian relief activities. We are profoundly grateful for the efforts and work of the Secretary-General and the entire UN system, in particular UNRWA, UN agencies, humanitarian and medical organizations and their staff.

I want to be clear: nothing in this war happens by chance. The conduct of this war is a choice. Disrespect of international humanitarian law is a choice. And the consequences of this war with unprecedented deaths and destruction and children too weak to cry cannot be but a choice.

With the appalling attack on the World Central Kitchen, earlier on UNRWA, Médecins Sans Frontières, and others, the number of humanitarian workers killed in Gaza has reached 224. We condemn all attacks on humanitarian, medical and UN personnel in Gaza and underline our call for accountability. The faces of humanity left in Gaza are under attack – and have been for the past six months.

Colleagues,

This Council has adopted three resolutions on the situation in Gaza. Most recently resolution 2728 calling for an immediate ceasefire leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire, the release of hostages and delivery of humanitarian aid.

ICJ orders are binding. Security Council resolutions are binding for each and every UN member state. They must be implemented. International order and our collective security depend on respect for the UN Charter, international law and the commitments that we all adhere to. 

This Sunday we will mark six months of war in Gaza. Six months later, it’s imperative to reflect on the enduring suffering of Gaza’s civilians and hostages, not merely through discussions but through decisive, impactful actions. Six months of destruction and devastation cannot be a milestone we should mark with merely a meeting of the Security Council. We have seen the spillover effects of this conflict in almost the entire Middle East region. The conflict in Gaza is a threat to international peace and security, and this Council should make sure to stop it.

Thank you.

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