Statement by Ambassador , UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
the Middle East Peace Process.
First, the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Gaza is
catastrophic and unacceptable. Famine is likely imminent in some
areas and the unthinkable hardship that millions of civilians,
including children, are already facing in Gaza is set to get even
worse as winter continues.
As my Foreign Secretary reiterated last Monday to this Council,
there is no excuse for Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid.
We need much better protection of civilians in Gaza, a huge surge
in aid, and for the UN and humanitarians to be able to operate in
safety.
An immediate and unconditional ceasefire and the immediate
release of hostages is the best way to achieve this.
Second, as we have repeatedly said, the UNRWA bills that Israel's
Knesset has passed are gravely concerning and risk jeopardising
the entire international humanitarian response in Gaza, and
delivery of essential health and education services in the West
Bank.
UNRWA is indispensable.
No other agency can get aid into Gaza on the scale needed or
replace its mandate to serve Palestinian refugees. Israel must
ensure that UNRWA can continue its vital operations.
Third, we remain deeply concerned by instability in the West
Bank. The economic situation is dire.
We urge the Government of Israel to extend Correspondent Banking
Relations for at least one year, to immediately release withheld
clearance revenues, and to stop settlement expansion on
Palestinian land, which is illegal under international law.
The rate of expansion is unprecedented, and it undermines
stability and the prospects for peace. We have announced three
tranches of sanctions targeting illegal settler outposts and
organisations that have supported and sponsored violence against
communities in the West Bank.
Palestinians must be able to live without fear of violence or
intimidation.
Colleagues, we must continue to work together to end the wars in
Gaza and Lebanon, to secure the release of all the hostages who
are living an unimaginable horror and to stop the suffering of
civilians.
Too many people have lost their lives. The region needs a lasting
peace, with a two-state solution at its core.
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