UN Security Council Briefing and Consultations on the Middle East
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL BRIEFING AND CONSULTATIONS ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST-THE QUESTION OF PALESTINE
Madam President,
Let me begin by thanking the Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland and the Deputy Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Leni Stenseth for their briefings. We encourage their further efforts for peace and in addressing the plight of the Palestinian people as a result of the continued occupation of their lands. The Security Council, as we know, has a historical responsibility for the situation in Palestine. When we hear briefings such as we have received this morning, the Council must be united around its established positions on the question of Palestine.
The concerning situation that the briefing conveys should reinforce our unyielding commitment to uphold the two-State solution, to address the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and to redress the reversal of the peace and security gains achieved for the region after the ceasefire in May 2021. Like most other members of the international community, Ghana is seriously, and understandably so, concerned by recent Israeli government policy intent and actions that expand the illegal settlements in Occupied Palestinian Territory, including through the retroactive approval of settlement outposts, the further expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, and the demolition of Palestinian-owned homes and structures in the West Bank. These actions, besides violating Palestinian rights, portends a de facto annexation of the West Bank and contravenes Israel’s obligation under article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
We are seriously concerned by the consequences the recent steps of the Israeli government have on the viability of the two-State solution and the impact it has for the security of the region. We urge the government of Israel to situate its actions within the limits of her obligations under international law, international humanitarian law, and the prescriptions established through the resolutions of this Council. Its actions must help to abate violations of the basic human rights of Palestinians, including the forceful demolition of their properties, transfer or forced evictions, arbitrary arrests, administrative detention, torture, unlawful killings, and the denial of their basic rights to free movement and economic opportunities.
Madam President,
We however remain cognisant of Israel’s security concerns and condemn all incidents of attacks against its populations and territory, including recent violent attacks, such as stabbings, kidnappings and the launch of rockets from Gaza into Jerusalem and other Israeli civilian settlements. We encourage the active security cooperation of the Palestinian Authority with Israel in order to address the negative actions of Palestinian militant groups. We remain concerned by the sharp increase in violent attacks in the West Bank and in Jerusalem and other Israeli settlements, which has resulted in over 20 fatalities on both sides during the reporting period, with many injuries and others in critical conditions. Besides the physical damage and destruction to civil infrastructure, the interminable cycle of violence, also negatively affect the economies, health and socio-political lives of millions of people in the Middle East
region.
We urge all parties to observe calm and exercise restraint, and deem it important to prioritise the protection of civilians. We particularly find it regrettable that children, who deserve to live in peace and exploit their God-given talents, are being made victims of violence. Given that children’s experiences have a lasting impact on their physical, mental, emotional, and psychosocial development, a departure from such a healthy and sound environment causes psychological stress has serious and enduring negative consequences on their cognitive and emotional development. We therefore deplore the recent increase in the spate of violent clashes involving children in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, especially in the West Bank. The international community’s muted reaction to the need for investigations into systematic violations of human rights and crimes of atrocity by the parties has not been helpful to stabilising the volatile situation on the ground. We urge a reconsideration of that position and remind the parties of their obligations under international law and the several resolutions of this Council. We urge them to refrain from unilateral actions that obstruct and undermine efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive and just peace to the decades-old conflict.
Madam President,
We call on the leadership of both Israel and Palestine as well as regional stakeholders to continue engaging in a meaningful and transparent manner in order to effect significant policy changes that support the efforts for durable peace through a political resolution based on equal rights, justice and inclusion. We note the sensitivities of the holy sites in Jerusalem and call for upholding the status quo ante. The object of religion, which is peace, should not be a basis for violence. We encourage further financial and relevant support for the activities of UNRWA, whose continuing existence, in support of the needed services by Palestinian refugees, is a reflection of how much more needs to be done to achieve the goals of a just and durable solution to the Palestinian question.