Statement by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon at the
United Nations Security Council meeting on the Middle
East.
Thank you, Mr. President. Your Excellencies, may I begin by
thanking Secretary-General Guterres and Special Coordinator
Tor Wennesland for their detailed briefings.
As we look towards the Middle East, a tragedy is unfolding in
front of our very eyes. Israel has suffered the worst terror
attack in its history and Palestinians are experiencing a
devastating and growing humanitarian crisis as a result of the
ensuing Israeli military action.
Mr. President, every life matters. Israeli or Palestinian. Every
innocent civilian life lost, Palestinian or Israeli, is a
tragedy. Indeed, we also collectively mourn the loss of all
innocent, innocent lives lost, including those of UN personnel
delivering vital life saving aid in Gaza.
Yet the past week has provided much needed respite in
hostilities. The agreement was an important opportunity for
providing hope and relief to the families of the hostages, and
for allowing vital humanitarian assistance into Gaza. But this
should not be a one off. We must collectively build from it and
create the opportunity for more. Including follow up and ensuring
more humanitarian grounds for such cessation. Hostages must be
released. Aid must get in and civilians must be
protected.
I’ve had the opportunity to visit Qatar recently to discuss this
very conflict and take the opportunity to recognise their pivotal
role in this agreement, together with that of Egypt and the
United States. Just last week, the United Kingdom Foreign
Secretary, , visited Israel and the
Occupied Palestinian Territories, where he met with Israeli and
Palestinian leaders. During their meetings, they discussed the
importance of securing the release of hostages, addressing the
humanitarian crisis, which included the British Foreign Secretary
announcing a further $38 million in UK humanitarian aid, and also
emphasising the need to find a long-term political solution to
this conflict based on the two-state solution. In
Israel, he discussed the need to immediately de-escalate in the
West Bank, where tragically more than 200 Palestinians have been
killed, and to prevent further escalation, which disrupts
regional peace and security - concerns we all share. And whilst
we welcome statements condemning settler violence, the United
Kingdom is clear there must be justice and Israel must hold those
responsible to account.
Equally, the UK’s position on Israeli settlements is also clear
and long standing. They are illegal under international law and
contrary to the cause of peace. The UK is also clear that Iran
poses an unacceptable threat to the region through its
destabilising activity and long term support for its proxies and
partners in the region, including Hamas, Hezbollah and
Palestinian Islamic Jihad. We condemn the unlawful seizure of
the MV Galaxy Leader and call for the immediate and
unconditional release of the ship and its crew.
On our part across the region, the United Kingdom is working
intensively with all partners on this particular issue, on the
importance of humanitarian relief, on the importance of hostage
relief, on the importance of preventing further escalation. The
UK also further echoes UNIFIL’s call for a cessation of
hostilities across the Blue Line and for renewed commitment to
implementing UN Security Council resolution 1701.
The UK, from the start of events through the Hamas attack on
Israel on the 7th October, has been clear that Israel has a right
to defend itself against terrorism. But in doing so, Israel must
act in accordance with international law. Of which safeguarding
civilian life is key and pivotal. Frankly, tragically too many
innocent civilians, including many children, have lost their
lives. And we must work collectively to find solutions to this
long-standing conflict.
Ultimately, we must find that pathway to peace and ensure, yes,
events like October the 7th never happen again. And therefore
equally, let us commit ourselves to ensure we deliver sustainable
peace. The United Kingdom believes in a negotiated
settlement in line with Security Council
resolutions, leading to a safe and secure Israel, living
alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state. A vision
but to which we must now all work together to turn that vision
into a reality. A reality of ensuring security. A reality of
ensuring justice. A reality of ensuring peace for Israelis and
Palestinians alike. This must be our shared, long term,
deliverable objective. Peace may seem difficult, but, Mr.
President, peace is achievable. Peace is attainable. And we must
work together to deliver that noble goal.
