We need to begin to focus on how we chart the way towards a sustainable peace, without a return to fighting: UK statement at the UN Security Council.
| Published date | 26 March 2024 |
M2 PRESSWIRE-March 26, 2024-: We need to begin to focus on how we chart the way towards a sustainable peace, without a return to fighting: UK statement at the UN Security Council
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Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East Peace Process. Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 26 March 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)
Thank you, President, and I thank Special Coordinator Wennesland for his briefing today.
Israel continues to deal with the brutal horror and the aftermath of the October 7th attacks and Hamas continues to hold innocent hostages continue in Gaza. The UK condemns these attacks unequivocally. Israel has a right to defend itself and ensure such an attack can never happen again.
At the same time, innocent Palestinians are facing unfathomable human suffering in Gaza. The latest IPC report stated that there is an imminent risk of famine. Disease is on the rise. A devastating humanitarian crisis is worsening day by day. The UK agrees with the recommendations in the IPC report.
President, I wish to make three points:
First, the UK has long been calling for an immediate humanitarian pause in fighting, to get aid in and hostages out, leading to a sustainable ceasefire. Yesterday's adoption of Resolution 2728 delivered just that, we now need to see its full implementation. We welcome the ongoing negotiations led by Qatar, Egypt, and the US to this end. And we reiterate our call on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release all hostages.
Second, Israel needs to do more to ensure significantly more live-saving aid can reach those in need in Gaza. This includes opening Ashdod Port and Kerem Shalom in full and to their maximum operating capacity, issuing visas to UN workers and aid agencies. And ensuring effective deconfliction to guarantee the safety of aid convoys.
The Foreign Secretary and Prime Minister have reiterated these messages to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior Israeli political leaders in recent weeks.
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