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

Thank you, Madam President. And I also want to thank Commissioner-General, Mr Lazzarini as well as Director Doughten for their briefings. Sober, as always, and nothing else was actually expected. Thank you very much.

A year ago, we woke up to shocking news from Israel. Events left us in confusion and took us days to understand. I take this opportunity to once again firmly condemn the terrorist attacks of 7 October and the taking of hostages. Slovenia is outraged by the terror committed on that day by Hamas.

Our thoughts have been with hostages and their families every day for the past year. These days we feel their pain even more.

What unfolded in the days, weeks and months after in Gaza is, however, equally shocking. We fail to understand how Israeli response to a terrorist attack can result in indiscriminate, “collateral” killing of over 40,000 civilians, most among them women and children.

We firmly believe international community must do better in its response to such atrocities.

Colleagues,

Over the recent months, this Council has spent countless hours in briefings, assessments of situation and debates about possible solutions. Our calls for respect of international law, the foundation of international order, as well as respect for our resolutions remain ignored.

People in Gaza are left without homes, hospitals, schools and other critical infrastructure. They face repeated evacuation orders, without possibility to find safe shelters. They are denied access to life-saving humanitarian aid. 

Challenges related to the humanitarian space in Gaza are so complex, that even after one year of the war we cannot comprehensively summarize them.

We hear calls from humanitarian workers for more decisive action of the Council. They say that only a ceasefire will enable humanitarian organizations to adequately address the tragedy in Gaza. And we agree. I think the Council agrees. We should continue to call and take action for compliance with our demand for a ceasefire.

However, while demanding compliance with our resolutions, we continue to carry responsibility to easing the pain of civilians in Gaza.

Colleagues,

we know that tragic humanitarian situation of Palestinians will not magically disappear even once we achieve a ceasefire.

A ceasefire will not automatically remove obstacles to humanitarian access. Gaza will not be safe until public order is restored. The territory of Gaza is littered with unexploded bombs that put civilians at risk, in particular children. Reconstruction will last for decades. Lack of opportunity for social and economic recovery, is an excellent breeding ground for hatred, division and extremism. We have seen that in multiple situations in the past.

We should move forward in our reflections what needs to change in order for peoples of this region to live in peace and security for a change.

Colleagues,

Attacks on the United Nations are unacceptable. It is member states, who have created the United Nations. And it is precisely the United Nations which have protected what was left of humanity in Gaza. They do the work on our behalf. And they carry burden of our failures.

Attacks on United Nations are unprecedented: people, assets and premises clearly marked as UN hit on the ground. Equally alarming are attempts to dismantle UNRWA, the agency that provides essential support to Palestinian refugees. We stand by the shared commitments to UNRWA, supported by 123 Member States of the UN, including all Council members. It is clear: the role and mandate of UNRWA must be protected. UNRWA is a lifeline for Palestinians in Gaza. Or in words of Commissioner: entire humanitarian response in Gaza may collapse.

Attacks on our Secretary General are unacceptable. As a Member State of this organization and in line with the Charter, we stand by the work under the leadership by the Secretary-General.

Finally, situation in Gaza has evolved into a threat to international peace and security. This is not any more an assumption or a danger. It is here. It is a fact. Conflicts are spreading like an inferno across the region of the Middle East.  An inferno that we must stop.

More wars will not bring peace and security. More wars will not bring Israeli hostages home to their families. It is time to stop the wars, to bring hostages home and to end suffering of the civilians in the Middle East. We call for an immediate, all-out regional ceasefire and for all parties to return to the path of diplomacy.

Colleagues,

The world cannot forget Gaza. This Council cannot forget Gaza. And first and foremost, we cannot forget we have the primary responsibility for international peace and security. Thank you.

Recent Statements