Statement delivered by Her Excellency Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at the United Nations Security Council meeting on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”
Mr. President,
Thank you for convening today’s meeting. I also thank Special Coordinator Kaag for her comprehensive briefing. I have also listened carefully to the moving testimony of Dr. Sidhwa.
Mr. President,
About two weeks ago, we received a sobering briefing from USG Tom Fletcher as he appealed to us to seriously examine the legacy this Council would leave in relation to what is currently taking place in Gaza. Today, we have again heard a similar appeal from Special Coordinator Kaag and Dr. Sidhwa, even as the situation continues to worsen in unimaginable ways. No one should be made to live under the horrific circumstances that Palestinians in Gaza have been experiencing since 7 October. This Council must take principled and urgent action in response to the grave situation that has been foisted on the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Mr. President,
As efforts continue for achieving a return to the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Guyana is of the view that any peace deal reached should have at least three guarantees.
First, Palestinians should not be forced to give up any of their rights in exchange for peace. Specifically, they should not be forced to forfeit their homeland. A choice between continuation of the Israeli offensive and forced displacement is a false choice.
Second, any peace deal should comply scrupulously with international law. The war in Gaza has set, or seen attempts to set, precedents that are plain violations of international law, particularly international humanitarian law. Recall, for example, restrictions imposed on the United Nations and humanitarian workers. The Knesset legislation against UNRWA is a case in point. Recall also Israel’s ongoing aid blockade and its proposed mechanism for aid delivery under the control of its military.
Third, the protection and wellbeing of civilians should remain the chief consideration of any peace deal.
Mr. President,
The situation in Gaza continues to worsen in unimaginable ways as described by the Special Coordinator. We are especially concerned by the escalating strikes on tents, residential buildings, schools and crowded hospitals and the methodical destruction of entire neighbourhoods. The constant evacuation orders and the militarization of the majority of the Gaza Strip are equally concerning. There is nothing that can justify this level of violence against civilians, among whom are children including babies.
The aid blockade which was imposed on 2 March, seriously crippled the humanitarian efforts that were facilitated by the ceasefire deal. While noting the recent lifting of some restrictions by the Israeli officials, we simultaneously noted that certain measures are severely limiting humanitarians’ ability to take advantage of this small respite. We noted, for example, the challenges created by insecurity, , delays in coordination approvals and inappropriate routes being provided by Israeli forces that are not viable for the movement of cargo. These are all manmade obstacles. We call on Israel to fulfill its international legal obligations regarding access to essential goods and services by the civilian population of Gaza. The provision of aid must be governed by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. Guyana expresses its confidence, once again, in the ability of the United Nations and its partners to deliver aid at the required scale throughout Gaza, if given the relevant facility by the occupying power. The UN has consistently demonstrated its readiness every time there has been an opportunity to get aid into Gaza.
The state of food insecurity in Gaza is extremely worrying with many Palestinians experiencing what they described as a “slow death sentence.” The testimony of humanitarians in Gaza that “Palestinians prefer to die by an airstrike than to go through the suffering of a lack of food and lie to their children about their next meal” is an indictment on those who have created these types of choices for innocent civilians.
Mr. President, Colleagues,
It has not escaped us that while negotiations – which we welcome - are ongoing to reach a nuclear deal with the objective of avoiding the potential destruction of another country, different weapons are being employed against the Palestinian people, resulting in their destruction. Regrettably, we are not responding meaningfully to counter the actions of the Israeli Defence Force. What makes this even more concerning is the fact that the visuals of the decimation of Palestinians are livestreamed across the globe, yet we are not acting to stop it. The judgment of future generations will be justifiably harsh towards us – we who saw the attempts at obliterating an entire people but did not act. This Council has the opportunity to act now. Enough is enough.
Mr. President,
In light of the foregoing, Guyana is compelled to reiterate the following appeals.
First, we call for an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza in accordance with resolution 2735. Nothing justifies the collective punishment of the Palestinian people and it is clear that the military objectives set by Israel cannot be met without severe consequences for civilians.
Second, Guyana reiterates its call for the release of all hostages being held in Gaza as well as of all Palestinians detained by Israel without charge. The taking of hostages is a war crime and all perpetrators must be held accountable.
Third, Guyana appeals to Israel to completely lift the humanitarian aid blockade on Gaza and to allow the United Nations and its partners to carry out their lifesaving work. International humanitarian law demands that Israel fulfill its obligations towards civilians and the International Court of Justice has reaffirmed this.
Finally, Guyana appeals to this Council and the international community as a whole to work urgently to revitalize the two-state solution as the only just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian question.
I thank you.
