Statement delivered by Ambassador Trishala Persaud, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations at the UNSC meeting on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”
Mr. President,
Thank you for convening today’s meeting. I also thank Acting Special Coordinator Ms. Sigrid Kaag for her briefing and have taken careful note of the perspectives offered by Mr. Levy. I commend Ms. Noa Argamni for her bravery during her harrowing ordeal and for sharing her experience with us today.
Mr. President,
Guyana has been closely following the developments in the occupied Palestinian territory. The pressing questions for us, as for many Member States, concern the continued implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza and the end of the violence in the occupied West Bank. On both fronts, strong diplomatic efforts are required given the negative trends that we are seeing. This Council must exert every effort to ensure that the parties continue the negotiations towards a permanent ceasefire. In the same vein, it is imperative for the Council to take action to stop the spiraling violence being perpetrated by the Occupying Power in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
Mr. President,
We have seen the respite afforded hundreds of thousands of Palestinians through the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza. We have taken note, for example, that over fiftyseven thousand (57,000) metric tons of food was brought into Gaza since the ceasefire, supporting more than 1.8 million people with full rations of food parcels.
Notwithstanding some improvements, we are concerned that thousands still cannot access adequate shelter. Many sick and seriously wounded are unable to access the care they need owing to a decimated healthcare system. The situation is exacerbated by the rate of denial of the relevant authorizations for persons, particularly children, requiring medical evacuation to other countries. The continued characterization of certain critical items as “dual use”, adds to the humanitarian strain that many Palestinians are still enduring.
We regret that as Palestinians are experiencing immense suffering, the lifeline they have found in UNRWA has been taken away. This has happened despite decisions taken by the Member States of the United Nations for the Agency to continue implementing its mandate as established by the General Assembly.
We again call on Israel to abide by its Charter obligations to ensure that the UN’s work, including that of UNRWA, is not hindered in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Guyana urges the parties to fully abide with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law.
We call for the unconditional and dignified release of all hostages and Palestinians detained in Israel without charge. Guyana also emphasizes the obligations to treat hostages and detainees with respect and dignity and stresses that they should be allowed visits by the Red Cross.
We have followed closely the matter involving the Bibas family that was taken hostage on 7 October. We are saddened that all those taken hostage were not released alive to Israel. There must be full accountability for all the atrocities perpetrated during this war including for the taking of hostages, the killing of civilians, the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of persons, and for the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Mr. President,
It is critical that the ceasefire in Gaza continues to hold, and we urge the parties to prioritize the lives of civilians as they negotiate the remaining phases of the ceasefire agreement.
Gaza must not be plunged again into war after fifteen months of death and destruction.
While our eyes are on the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, the threat of an inferno in the occupied West Bank is real and many of the same patterns observed as the Gaza war developed, are now being witnessed in the West Bank. Guyana urges the Council to work collectively to prevent further displacement, death and destruction in the occupied West Bank.
The cumulative effect of Israel’s continued violent occupation of the Palestinian territories is the systematic undermining of the two-state solution and entrapment of the Palestinian people in a cycle of violence and poverty. Israel’s operations in the occupied West Bank, for example, negatively impact the capacity of the Palestinian Authority to govern the area.
We urge the international community to continue supporting a lasting, just and comprehensive solution of the Palestinian question in line with the two-state solution. Israel’s settlement policies and practices must end. It must adhere to its obligation to bring its occupation of the Palestinian territories to a swift end in line with the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice and General Assembly resolution ES/10-24.
I reiterate three appeals.
First, there must be a permanent ceasefire in Gaza to create the conditions for Palestinians to rebuild their lives. Simultaneously, the hostilities in the occupied West Bank must cease.
Second, all efforts aimed at resolving the Palestinian question should align with the two-state solution and help to advance it.
Third and final, respect for international law should be the guiding principle that governs actions on the Palestinian question.
I conclude, Mr. President, by emphasizing Guyana’s unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people and our commitment to contributing positively to the quest for a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
I thank you.
