Explanation of vote by Ambassador at the UN Security Council
meeting on Gaza.
"Thank you President, we want to see the fighting in Gaza end as
soon as possible in a way that never again allows Hamas to carry
out the appalling terrorist attacks against Israel we saw on the
7th of October last year.
Palestinian civilians are facing a devastating humanitarian
crisis. We are particularly worried about the situation in Rafah,
where a military operation could have appalling consequences for
civilians sheltering there with nowhere else to go. Ongoing
negotiations are critical to secure the release of the hostages
held in Gaza.
We are calling for an immediate suspension in fighting to get aid
in and hostages out, leading to a permanent, sustainable
ceasefire.
That means the release of all hostages; the formation of a new
Palestinian Government for the West Bank and Gaza, accompanied by
an international support package; removing Hamas’s capacity to
launch attacks against Israel; Hamas no longer in charge of Gaza;
and, a political horizon which provides a credible and
irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution.
President, we welcome the efforts of our Algerian colleagues on
this resolution, and we regret that some of our proposals were
not taken on board.
Simply calling for a ceasefire as this resolution does, will not
make it happen. Indeed, as it could endanger the hostage
negotiations, it could actually make a ceasefire less likely. The
way to stop the fighting, and potentially stop it from
restarting, is to begin with a pause to get hostages out and aid
in, that is what we are calling for. It could end the fighting
now.
We will continue to work to stop fighting. A humanitarian
response at scale. The release of all hostages. And the delivery
of the two sovereign states of Israel and Palestine that ensures
peace, security and justice for both nations."
