Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at Security Council briefing on 'Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question'

Madame President, 

I thank Special Coordinator Wennesland for the Secretary-General’s oral report on the implementation of resolution 2334. I also thank Her Excellency Ms. Helen Clark for her valuable insights. 

Madame President,

The report by the Special Coordinator has once again confirmed Israel’s obstinate stance on settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, in violation of Security Council resolution 2334. Israel continues to dig in its heels on its colonial settler policy.

This is despite the clear provisions of the resolution that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace. The extent of Israel’s ongoing settlement activities is reflected in the fact that demolitions of homes and civilian infrastructure this year have reached the highest number in two decades with greater fatalities owing to more brutal tactics used in these demolition exercise.

The recent Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice also definitively established Israel’s obligation to end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, to cease immediately all new settlement activities, and to evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The General Assembly resolution adopted yesterday laid out the next steps following the issuance of the Advisory Opinion and we call on Israel and all Member States to fulfill their obligations as set out in that resolution.

Madame President,

We have taken note that since our last briefing on resolution 2334, the situation in the occupied West Bank has worsened considerably with several airstrikes on civilian infrastructure and the recent large-scale military operation which left many Palestinians displaced, their homes destroyed, and their property taken over by Israeli settlers. We note for example, according to OCHA, since 7 October 2023, 1,628 Palestinians have been displaced in incidents involving Israeli settlers. All of this is enabled by the Israeli legal system that systematically awards Palestinian lands to colonial settlers, thereby empowering its security officials to protect those who act based on these decisions. 

We have been talking about this issue for so long that the danger of becoming rote in our response to this illegality is very real. We must never become numb to these violations of international law because we risk normalizing Israeli settlement policies and practices. Let us not forget what these policies and practices translate to for thousands of Palestinians who pay even the high price of death for resisting the destruction of their homes and livelihoods. 

Madame President, 

The danger of Israeli settler policy lies in the fact that it is intended to alter the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, in furtherance of the one-state solution which it unabashedly advocates and pursues. This is in clear violation of international humanitarian law and relevant resolutions both of this Council and the General Assembly. Guyana therefore condemns in the strongest terms, Israel’s continuing disregard for the decisions of this Council and of international law more generally. The two-state solution remains the only viable pathway to bring about an end to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The Council must therefore respond to Israel’s actions which are steadily eroding the two-state solution and entrenching a one-state reality.

We must not countenance the illegalities that are born from such a plan.

Madame President,

All Member States have a responsibility pursuant to 2334 to make it consequential for Israel to continue its settlement expansion. A few visa restrictions when there are more than seven hundred thousand (700,000) illegal settlers  can hardly be expected to have any real impact. Visa restrictions for anyone living in settlements set up in areas outside of the pre-1967 borders may have a much greater impact. Refusing to have commercial engagement with any individual, group or entity living in, operating in, or maintaining interests in settlements that violate the pre-1967 borders will definitely have a real impact. Collectively and individually, Member States must consider such decisions to stem this tide of illegality and disregard for the resolutions and decisions  on the question of Israel’s illegal settlements in the Palestinian occupied territories.

Let me conclude by once again emphasizing the urgency of redoubling efforts to achieve the two-state solution. This must be in tandem with the obligation created by the General Assembly for Israel to vacate all Palestinian territory which it now occupies. We also call again for an immediate ceasefire and the return of all hostages held in Gaza and Palestinians illegally detained in Israel. 

The unresolved conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to hinder peace and security in the Middle East region and we appeal to all Member States to act urgently and genuinely to bring this conflict to a permanent, peaceful and just end. Guyana is prepared to do its part.

I thank you.