Statement by Stephen Hickey, Director for Middle East and
North Africa in the FCDO, at the Preparatory meeting of the
High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement
of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the
Two-State Solution.
I'd also like to express the UK's thanks to Saudi Arabia and to
France for your excellent leadership in steering our preparations
for this high-level conference at the UN.
We are delighted to be co-chairing the Working Group on
Humanitarian Action and Reconstruction with Egypt.
The Working Group has three main goals.
First, as the Egyptian Ambassador has just set out, we want to
mobilise support for the Arab/Islamic Plan for Early Recovery,
Reconstruction and Development.
The plan sets out a realistic path for the reconstruction of Gaza
and, if implemented, promises swift and sustainable steps to
improve the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians
living in Gaza.
We strongly encourage all delegations ahead of the Conference in
June to consider what concrete measures or commitments you can
make to provide financial, technical, and capacity-building
support to the plan, and to empower the Palestinian Authority to
lead it.
Of course, recovery and reconstruction efforts must also be based
upon a solid political and security framework, which provides
peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians alike.
We therefore encourage delegations to consider what enabling
elements, including financial, governance and security
arrangements, are required. We urgently need to get these in
place so that reconstruction efforts are sustainable, inclusive,
and can support longer-term peace.
Second, our Working Group will look to identify how we can
address the dire humanitarian situation in the Occupied
Palestinian Territories.
As my Prime Minister said this week, the level of human suffering
in Gaza is intolerable.
Humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip has been completely blocked
or severely restricted since 2 March, and the entire population
is at risk of famine according to the latest IPC report of 12
May. Meanwhile, hostages continue to be held in appalling
conditions.
The Secretary-General has been clear that the entry of
humanitarian assistance must be restored immediately with UN
agencies allowed to work in full respect of humanitarian
principles.
The UK has allocated $135 million this year to support the OPTs,
including to provide humanitarian relief and support for
Palestinian economic development.
Our working group will explore how we can ensure sufficient
funding of the response, and the steps that can be taken to
ensure it is consistent with humanitarian principles and with
International Humanitarian Law. This includes the needs of the
most vulnerable groups.
Third and finally, UNRWA delivers essential services and
life-saving humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees in
the OPTs and in the region. It is indispensable. That is why in
the last financial year, the UK provided $55 million in funding
to support its important work.
Yet UNRWA is still facing a shortfall of more than $450 million
from a budget of $880 million, as it confronts the biggest
humanitarian crisis seen in the organisation's history.
Our working group will consider what further support can be
provided by all of us to UNRWA, including through securing
sustainable financial contributions.
Further details on the aims of our Working Group Five are set out
in the Concept Note, which has been circulated. We encourage
written submissions on the guiding questions from delegations and
the UN system by Friday, 30 May.
Co-chairs, in closing, the UK has long been clear that lasting
peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis alike can only
be achieved through a two-state solution.
We look forward to working with our Egyptian colleagues, the
entire UN membership, and colleagues across the UN system to help
deliver a conference which moves us towards this goal.
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