Statement by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, at Security Council meeting on the "Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question"
Mr. President,
Let me begin by expressing appreciation to Special Coordinator Wennesland and Director Wosornu for their briefing on the ongoing developments in the Gaza Strip, including Rafah.
One would have thought that the catastrophe in Gaza could get no worse but the occupying power continues to devise and execute increasingly horrendous punishments on innocent civilians in Gaza. All of this is taking place while the Strip is besieged, land routes locked off, and Israel rains bombs and bullets on innocent, defenseless people, including women and children. The humanitarian situation is beyond catastrophic as we have heard from our briefers. With the key Rafah and Karen Abu Salem crossings blocked or ineffective because of the security situation, humanitarian operations are being crippled. Guyana calls on Israel to adhere to its legal obligations as an occupying power to ensure that the needs of the population are met and that supplies essential to its survival are provided. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has clearly underlined Israel’s obligations in this regard but it continues to turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to the rule of law.
After decimating Gaza, Israel is retracing its steps with fresh bombings from north to south. Quite cynically, it has urged civilians to evacuate to safe zones but the question is repeatedly asked, which place in Gaza is safe? The answer is zero. None. An estimated 800,000 persons have been displaced from Rafah in a continuous cycle of bombing and displacement. The death toll is rising and is nearing 36,000. The number of persons injured is reaching 80,000. Guyana calls for an end to the Israeli operation in Gaza and for the hostilities to cease. We demand an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
Mr. President,
Alarm bells are sounding incessantly in Gaza and this Council must intervene now to stop the carnage. In this context, I wish to underscore three critical points.
First, civilians in Gaza must be provided with the goods and services essential to their survival. Guyana has taken note of the projection of Under-Secretary General Griffiths that aid shortages could have apocalyptic consequences for Gaza. For months, the Council has been apprised of the various hindrances to aid delivery into Gaza and of what is needed to prevent famine and disease. Three resolutions have been adopted, all emphasizing the need for the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people. The humanitarian situation has, however, worsened owing both to the unbearable security situation and the inadequacy of the humanitarian response. While acknowledging the efforts of those who have attempted to address this issue by other means, Guyana stresses that there is no substitute for land routes. We therefore call on the Government of Israel to comply with its obligations under international law to ensure that the civilian population is not deprived of essential goods and services.
Second, Guyana calls on the Security Council to make impactful decisions to end the war. Pursuant to Article 24 of the Charter, Member States of the United Nations conferred on the Security Council the mandate for the maintenance of international peace and security “to ensure prompt and effective action by the United Nations.” We must therefore consider all options available to this Council to bring the war to a swift end. Let us starve the war of its fuel.
Third, Mr. President, we must end the impunity with which these acts against the Palestinian people are being committed. One effect of the ongoing impunity has been that other actors have decided to use the ongoing hostilities in Gaza as a pretext to launch or intensify their own hostilities. The Council cannot afford to allow justice to be outsourced but must act decisively to ensure that it is served.
I conclude by emphasizing the most urgent need to address all the dimensions of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, including the current manifestation of the conflict which began on 7 October. In the short-term, we must secure a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the rapid delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale to the Palestinian people. Simultaneously, we must work to ensure that Palestinians exercise their right to self-determination, including through the creation of their own independent state based on the pre-1967 borders.
I thank you.
