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Statement on the situation in the Middle East

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

Thank you, Mr. President.

I would like to thank Special Coordinator Wennesland for his briefing.

Mr. President,

In the recent weeks, this Council has been clear in its rejection of the operation in Rafah. In our most recent resolution 2728, we made a clear demand for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, together with the release of all hostages and ensuring safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access.

Last week, the International Court of Justice adopted a new order on provisional measures regarding Gaza. Among other, the Court has clearly ordered Israel to immediately halt its military offensive in Rafah. The Court ordered to maintain open the Rafah crossing. The Court ordered to ensure, in full cooperation with the United Nations, the unhindered provision at scale of basic services and humanitarian assistance. Despite this order, the operation continues with even more intensity.

Security Council resolutions and ICJ decisions are binding.

Yet, as we are meeting today, the operation in Rafah continues, despite international community’s demands and pleas to the contrary – and in defiance of the order of the ICJ.  Early this week we saw a heart-breaking evidence of why the operations must stop immediately. Our worst fears of the severe impact of the operation on civilian populations have come true. Slovenia once again firmly condemns the strike on the displaced persons in Rafah, in what was supposed to be a safe zone. It proved once again that no place is a safe place for the civilians in Gaza. 

We reject forced displacement. We are appalled by the humanitarian conditions for internally displaced in Gaza. A million people was once again displaced from Rafah in the past few weeks. Clearly, there are not enough resources to respond to humanitarian needs, in particular food, water, fuel, medicine and shelter. We are talking about people. Old, young, children. People who instead of fulfilling their dreams and aspirations face nothing but struggles. For many of them, there is only one dream left: to wake up tomorrow.

We have been consistently briefed about mounting struggles of people in the West Bank, further aggravated by the deteriorating fiscal situation of the Palestinian Authority. We are deeply concerned by the challenges faced by UNRWA, including the vote of the new legislation in the Knesset.

Mr. President,

International law is not a menu to choose from. It is also not something pushed on us. It is something we have willingly signed up to and accepted. UN Member states must uphold the UN charter with an unwavering commitment to international law. That means full respect of international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law. It means respect for decisions of international courts. It also means ensuring accountability for grave violations of international law.  The decisions by the ICJ are not guidance and they are not recommendations. They are obligations. They are binding.

It is important to underline that the most recent strike on displaced camp in Rafah is not an isolated incident. There have been several incidents in Gaza. And in one case after the other, we were told that investigations were taking place. However, this Council has not received any information or the follow up. In order for the Council to act responsibly in preventing the violations and ensure accountability, we need to know what is happening on the ground. Credible international investigations are best fit for this purpose.

The Council itself must show an unwavering commitment to international law by stepping up to its responsibilities. By merely observing grave violations, we are allowing the international system we know, the one based on the respect for international law, to collapse in front of our eyes. It is time for the Council to stop observing the situation in Rafah. The tragedy is not imminent. It is happening. And we should act – including with a clear resolution.

Mr. President,

Like everything else, one day, this moment will be history and we will be judged on the basis of our reaction to it. The Council must make sure to be on the right side of history and for Slovenia, the right side of history is protection of civilians. And we once again call for the immediate ceasefire.

I thank you.

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