Today, the UN Security Council voted on a draft resolution on the war in Gaza, tabled by the Council’s elected members (E10), including Slovenia. The draft resolution demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, and has reiterated the call for the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages. The resolution was not adopted due to a US veto. Slovenia regrets that the veto has been cast.

“Since the start of the war, Slovenia has been calling for a strong, united voice from the Council to ensure a ceasefire, release of hostages and unhindered access of humanitarian aid. Slovenia will support further steps to peace, including an international peace conference and a commitment to the two-state solution,” underlined Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon after the vote.

On behalf of Slovenia, Deputy Permanent Representative Ondina Blokar Drobič emphasized in the Council chamber that “this war represents everything the UN Charter stands against.” The Council has failed to speak in one voice and play an effective role in ending or mitigating the 13-month conflict. “This is a war that the Council can and must stop with a united and unequivocal demand for a ceasefire. This is the first step towards achieving a comprehensive solution to the conflict,” she added.

The draft resolution comes as a follow up to the Slovenian Prime Minister’s plea for “a new humanitarian resolution on Palestine” during Slovenia’s Presidency of the Council in September given his strong concern over the dire situation on the ground. The draft, negotiated for several weeks, was presented by the E10 group and steered by Guyana as the E10 coordinator. The text also underscored the situation in the besieged north Gaza, and called for full, rapid, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale, and for all parties to enable UNRWA to carry out its work in the territory.

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