Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield in the UN Security Council Report on the Situation in the Middle East
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
United States representative to the United Nations
new york new york
January 31, 2024
As delivered condition
Thank you, Madam President. Good morning everyone. Thank you, Deputy Secretary-General Griffiths, for your explanation.
There is no doubt that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire. Yesterday, Senior Coordinator Kaag outlined the measures proposed by the United Nations to accelerate and scale up large-scale aid delivery. I was pleased that the Council came together in support of her plan, because her success is the success of the United Nations in Gaza.
The issues facing us today are important in furthering her work to promote safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access, as called for in resolutions 2712 and 2720. What more can you do?
Some members argue that the interim measures ordered by the International Court of Justice are grounds for changing course. However, in many ways, the Court's actions reaffirm the framework we established in resolutions 2712 and 2720. The court's interim measures order is consistent with the United States' view that Israel has the right to take action in accordance with international humanitarian law. Prevent a repeat of the October 7th terrorist attack.
Of course, how Israel defends itself is important. The Court emphasized that all parties to a conflict are bound by international humanitarian law, echoing resolutions 2712 and 2720. This also echoes US calls for Israel to take all possible steps to minimize harm to civilians and humanitarian workers, increase the flow of humanitarian aid, and address inhumane rhetoric. I also agreed with the request.
In conversations with Israeli leaders, the United States, as well as this Council, will increase the flow of food, water, and medical supplies to reach all civilians in the Gaza Strip who are in desperate need. We have been clear about the urgent need.
But, my colleagues, we all agree that more must be done, and we are all devastated by the extraordinary loss of civilian life, but we must do more than the courts have ordered. You have to be honest about it. Specifically, it did not order an immediate ceasefire. At this preliminary stage of the proceedings, there is no finding that Israel has committed genocide or otherwise violated the Genocide Convention.
And indeed, the United States continues to believe that such claims are baseless. And rather than trying to achieve a ceasefire when, unfortunately, the conditions for sustaining one do not exist, we will instead work towards a lasting solution to this conflict through tireless diplomatic efforts on the ground. You have to make an effort.
The kind of diplomacy the United States has pursued since day one of this conflict. Thanks to diligent diplomatic efforts, we were able to open the gates of Rafah for the first trucks carrying aid. After intense diplomatic efforts, the two parties reached an agreement to free more than 100 hostages and rapidly ramp up aid to Gaza throughout the long-term suspension in November. And it was through hard diplomatic efforts that we created the conditions for a lasting cessation of hostilities, as we called for in resolution 2720.
Colleagues, a sustainable ceasefire allows hostages to be reunited with their loved ones and critical humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians in need. The United States has worked tirelessly with Qatar, Egypt, and other regional partners to reach agreements that would allow for the return of the hostages. The council has repeatedly called on Hamas and other groups to release any hostages the court has found should be released immediately and without conditions.
The proposals on the table are powerful and persuasive. A much longer humanitarian outage than seen in November is envisaged. It will enable us to rescue hostages and deliver more life-saving food, water and medicine to Gaza. These are very sensitive negotiations, so I won't go into details here. However, I think we can all agree that this will change the situation on the ground. It would bring the parties one step closer to the sustainable cessation of hostilities that we all desire.
Friends, Hamas started this conflict on October 7th, carrying out the worst attack against Jews since the Holocaust. Now it has to make a choice. It can continue digging tunnels, plan its next attack, and use civilians and civilian infrastructure as human shields. Alternatively, Hamas could accept an offer to lay down its weapons and release all hostages. We all have a duty to increase the pressure on Hamas to take the right decisions if this Council takes any action in the coming days.
Of course, for this proposal to succeed in changing power relations for the better, the United Nations must be in a position to dramatically increase aid provision. The disturbing and, according to the Secretary-General, credible allegations that 12 UNRWA staff were involved in the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel has shaken confidence in UNRWA at a time when humanitarian assistance is needed to scale up. There is.
The United States highly values the Secretary-General's seriousness in addressing these allegations. Terminating the employment contracts of the personnel involved was an important first step. And we know that the Secretary-General has pledged to pursue further accountability, including a “comprehensive and independent” review of UNRWA. This investigation must be prompt, thorough, and reliable.
Friends, the United States has been a major donor to UNRWA for many years. We are proud that this agency provides lifesaving services in incredibly difficult conditions in Gaza and contributes to stability and security in the region through its work in the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. I know.
For this reason, and for the sake of the millions of Palestinian civilians who depend on UNRWA's services, we are committed to the United Nations taking swift and decisive action to hold accountable those who commit heinous acts. Strengthen oversight of UNRWA's activities and restore donor confidence.
The US decision to temporarily suspend funding to UNRWA was made independently of other donor countries. To be clear, this is not a punitive measure, but a wake-up call. Fundamental changes need to be made to UNRWA to ensure this never happens again.
Dear Colleagues, The past few months have been devastating. But I hope that this moment, when the international community has united behind Special Coordinator Kaag, will be galvanized. There is still much diplomacy ahead of us, but the path to de-escalating this conflict and beginning to lay the foundations for a lasting peace is clear. That is what Israelis and Palestinians deserve, a two-state solution that allows them to coexist in equal peace, security and dignity. And let us all commit to making that vision a reality.
Thank you, Madam President.
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