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

Thank you Mr. President and I also thank the briefers today.

Mr. President,

If the walls of this Chamber, the blue and gold tapestries with symbols of faith, hope and charity could speak, they would surely have many stories to share. Perhaps they would choose silence over words, for many unfulfilled commitments made here. Perhaps they would cite resolutions of the Council never fully implemented. Perhaps quote statements of briefers shocking us with their accounts of the situation and suffering of civilians on the ground. Whatever those words would entail, they would point to one direction: erosion.

What we see in Gaza, is erosion of humanity. We are appalled by the Israeli attacks on humanitarian workers in Gaza. The UN, ICRC, Palestine Red Crescent Society, UNRWA, FAO, Médecins Sans Frontières, ICRC, Nasser hospital. Humanitarian workers in these institutions have been under fire since the hostilities resumed. We are shocked by the latest attacks on the humanitarian convoy killing 15 medical and humanitarian workers. Dr. Al-Khatib, we offer our condolences to you and to the families and friends of those who have been killed. 

We cannot choose to believe that these were simply mistakes. Slovenia condemns all attacks on all humanitarian, medical and UN personnel. They must be protected and supported in their mission at all times. We call on Israel to re-establish humanitarian notification and deconfliction mechanism. We call for an end to these attacks. Intentionally directing attacks against personnel involved in a humanitarian assistance mission is a war crime and must be prosecuted accordingly.

What we see, is erosion of protection of civilians. We condemn the killings of civilians, particularly women and children, since the collapse of the ceasefire. We hear from humanitarian organizations that food and fuel are running out. We call on Israel to immediately lift the siege on Gaza and ensure safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale. We underline that starvation as a method of war is a war crime.

We are appalled by the issuance of new evacuation orders in Gaza. We caution against the implementation of the so-called humanitarian bubbles and the militarization of aid in Gaza. We once again appeal to Israel to reverse the implementation of legislation against UNRWA. 

Colleagues,

What we see, is erosion of respect for international law. International law, particularly international humanitarian law and human rights law, must be respected by all. We call for impartial and thorough investigations of all incidents involving humanitarian workers. We ask the results of these investigations to be shared with the Council. Violations taking place on and after 7 October must be prosecuted. Only accountability will ensure non-repetition.

Ongoing expansion of the Gaza war and the operations in the West Bank must stop. We are appalled by the situation in the West Bank marked by settler violence, destruction, demolitions, movement restrictions, displacement, and repeating violations of the status quo of holy sites. Occupation must end as ordered by the ICJ. We reject any seizures of Palestinian land and forced displacement of Palestinians. We emphasize that Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem form an indivisible whole of the Palestinian state, where governance must be under the Palestinian Authority.

What we see in Israel and Palestine, is erosion of peace and security. So let us repeat: there is no military solution to any conflict and neither for conflicts in the Middle East. More war does not bring more peace. Not to Israel, not to Palestine, not to the region nor the globe. With each passing day, the region is less secure and the future is more unstable. We once again call for an end of Israeli operations in Gaza and the West Bank, and for an end of attacks on Israel.

We call on Israel and Hamas to return to the agreement made in line with resolution 2735 with the support of Egypt, Qatar and the United States. Ceasefire must be restored. Hostages must be released, aid must flow and dialogue must prevail. The only path to lasting peace can be the one of diplomacy. The only solution for ensuring lasting peace, is the two-state solution endorsed by this Council.

Mr. President,

I recall the briefing of the Palestine Red Crescent Society in November 2023. Back then, you, dr. Al-Khatib, asked us to listen to the cries of children soaked in blood, asking why this is happening, what they have done and why the world is so indifferent to their lives. This feeling of abandonment by the international community unfortunately continues to this day. I can assure you that Slovenia is not indifferent. Yet, almost a year and a half later, we are unable to answer their question.

Colleagues,

Erosion of this magnitude can lead to one thing only and this is a chaos. Despite challenges we faced, as the Council, throughout this war, much has been done with clear united demands from this Council, including through four resolutions. Let us make sure that our demands are implemented to prevent further erosion of the international system that we have built.

Thank you.

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