Statement delivered by Ambassador Trishala Persaud, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations, at the 9588th UNSC meeting “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question'

Mr. President,

Thank you for convening today’s meeting on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334(2016) and my appreciation also the Special Coordinator Wennesland for his insightful briefing and the presentation of the Secretary-General’s report.

We have heard this morning yet another update of the tragic circumstances to which Palestinians both in the West Bank and Jerusalem are subject by the occupying power through deliberate, illegal and sustained policies and practices. These policies and practices persist despite numerous injunctions by this Council and the General Assembly, and in contravention of obligations arising from the State of Israel’s ratification of several international legal instruments including the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War. Consequently, the full implementation of resolution 2334 continues to be seriously impeded.

Allow me to briefly dwell on three provisions of the resolution which Guyana views as especially critical in the broader context of achieving the two-state solution.

First, Guyana has taken note of ongoing settlement expansion in the Occupied Palestinian Territory including East Jerusalem. This expansion is accompanied by violence resulting in harm to Palestinian civilians and destruction of their homes and property. Several senior Israeli Government officials have endorsed these activities, thus emboldening the perpetrators of these illegalities. The recent observation by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that the drastic acceleration in settlement building is exacerbating long-standing patterns of oppression, violence and discrimination against Palestinians and that the policies of the current Israeli Government appear aligned, to an unprecedented extent, with the goals of the Israeli settler movement to expand long-term control over the West Bank and to steadily integrate this occupied territory into the State of Israel mirrors the concern of many, including Guyana. Guyana reiterates that the establishment of Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 has no legal validity and is a major obstacle to the two-state solution. Guyana further appeals to the

State of Israel to abide by its international obligations in this respect.

Second, Guyana recalls that resolution 2334 calls for steps to prevent violence against civilians and calls for accountability in this regard. The heinous events of 7 October and the equally heinous response have set off a humanitarian tragedy of unprecedented proportions in the Gaza Strip. The Strip has been decimated. More than 32,000 Palestinians have been killed. Hundreds of thousands are starving, severely undernourished and on the brink of famine. Women and children are bearing the brunt of this disaster. Yesterday, the Council issued a demand for a ceasefire but from all indications this is not being adhered to. Accountability remains sorely lacking in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and perhaps is the reason crime after crime is committed year after year with seeming impunity. Guyana appeals to the unity of this Council to ensure accountability for crimes against civilians. There is no hierarchy of Member States in this organization. All are obligated to uphold the principles and purposes of the United Nations as contained in the Charter.

Finally, Mr. President, the Middle East Peace process needs impetus so that the final status issues can be resolved. The Palestinian question must be brought to a definitive and swift end, resulting in a free and independent State of Palestine. The two-state solution is under serious threat and what should concern us is that the threat is not veiled – it is being broadcast internationally. The prevailing circumstances in the Occupied Territory and the accompanying international attention to the situation present a unique window of opportunity for this Council to make concerted efforts to advance the two-state solution in line with the relevant UN resolutions. The admission of the State of Palestine as a full member of the United Nations is a first and critical step in this direction.

Please count on Guyana’s full and constructive support for a comprehensive resolution of the Palestinian question.

I thank you.