Statement by Minister for Security at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle
East.
Thank you, President, and thank you to the Secretary-General, the
Deputy Special Coordinator, and the Special Envoy for their
briefings. I welcome the Israeli and Palestinian Foreign
Ministers to the chamber.
The past 17 days have shocked all of us around this table who
value the dignity of human life. It is a reminder of the solemn
responsibility we carry to uphold peace and security across the
world. Israel is a nation in mourning. It is also a nation still
under attack. The violence did not end on 7 October.
Terrorist rockets are still raining down on civilian towns and
cities in Israel. Around 200 of her citizens are still being held
hostage in Gaza. Some of those are fellow British citizens. Some
of those families were in this room only a few moments ago.
Israel has the right to defend itself. And the duty to protect
all those on its territory, of whatever religion they may be,
from terrorism.
We recognise that Palestinians are suffering too. Thousands have
been killed in this conflict. Over 1 million have been displaced.
We know that Hamas are using innocent Palestinian children,
civilians, and others as human shields. They have embedded
themselves in civilian communities. Hamas care more for the
opinion of their paymasters in Tehran than they do for the
opinion of their fellow citizens. We know they fire rockets that
often fall short, killing and injuring innocent Palestinians.
Those people are victims of Hamas too. It is a terrorist
organisation that is not just a threat to Israel and the
Palestinians but to many others in the region.
President, the UK stands resolutely with Israel in defending
itself against terror. We are clear that it must act in line with
international humanitarian law and take every possible step to
avoid harming civilians. We have given that message to Israel as
a friend and ally and we restate that position in this Council.
We must urgently get more humanitarian support into Gaza.
Sustained and unimpeded humanitarian access must be allowed so
civilians can receive lifesaving support as quickly and as
effectively as possible. We welcome the news that the Rafah
crossing opened to aid trucks in recent days. This was an
important first step and testament to the power of
diplomacy. However, it is not enough.
As the Secretary-General has said, humanitarian access needs to
be sustainable and at a scale. A constant stream of aid – water,
fuel, medicine and food – is desperately needed. The UK is doing
its part and has committed $37 million of extra support to help
civilians in Gaza.
President, we must prevent this conflict sparking conflict beyond
Gaza and engulfing the wider region in war. The attacks by
Hizballah terrorists on Israel’s northern border, rising tensions
in the West Bank, and missiles and drones launched from Yemen all
warn of the conflagration that is possible. It is in the interest
of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, and all states in the
region, that this conflict does not spread further.
That is why my Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have been
in the region, engaging closely with our friends and partners to
avoid escalation. Now is the time for dogged diplomacy that
recognises the hard realities and delivers help now. Lastly,
President, the UK’s longstanding position on the Middle East
Peace Process remains clear: we support a negotiated settlement
leading to a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and
sovereign Palestinian state. The events of the past week show –
with total clarity – the need to achieve these goals. Hope and
humanity must win out.
