UK statement delivered by Ambassador , UK Permanent
Representative to the UN, in the General Assembly Emergency
Special Session on Gaza and UNRWA.
It has now been over 400 days since Hamas' abhorrent attacks on
Israel on 7 October 2023. Over 400 days that the hostages have
been cruelly held in captivity. At the outset, I want to make
clear the UK's unequivocal call for the immediate release of the
hostages, including British citizen Emily Damari.
We call on Hamas to stop their abhorrent crimes and to comply
with international law.
President, we must see this conflict come to an end. The scale of
suffering in Gaza is unimaginable. Famine is imminent in some
areas and the UN has reported a shocking increase in cases of
acute malnutrition in children. Lack of access to medical
treatment will only compound this devastating issue.
The past two months have been the worst for aid access since
October 2023. International obligations are abundantly clear. The
World Food Programme report found that for more than 50 days,
barely any food has entered besieged areas.
Israel must ensure sufficient aid reaches civilians in Gaza. I
reiterate there is no excuse for Israel's restrictions on
humanitarian assistance.
Urgent solutions are required now, to prevent the very worst from
unfolding.
We also remain deeply concerned about civilian deaths and damage
to civilian infrastructure caused by IDF activity. In North Gaza,
Kamal Adwan hospital has recently come under fire, and seriously
injured and sick children remain trapped.
Israel must do much more to ensure civilians, medical personnel
and humanitarian workers are protected, and to ensure compliance
with international humanitarian law.
President, the United Kingdom voted for the draft resolution put
to the Security Council on 19 November which called for an
immediate and unconditional ceasefire as well as the immediate
and unconditional release of hostages.
We regret that the Council was unable to reach consensus. The UK
remains resolute in our commitment to the vision of the draft
resolution, and will keep working, alongside our partners, to
bring this war to a close. Secure the release of the hostages.
Deliver a huge scale up in aid. Better protect civilians. And
ensure that the UN can deliver in Gaza.
That is why we intend to vote in favour of today's General
Assembly resolution calling for these steps.
The UK will carefully consider our position on any future
accountability options produced in a report from the Secretary
General. The UK considers, however, that focus should remain on
encouraging all parties to cooperate with existing mechanisms of
accountability.
With this in mind, the UK reiterates its unwavering support to
the ICJ, while recognising their recent Advisory Opinion is, of
course, not binding as a matter of international law and that
this resolution does not change that.
In any event, there remains an imperative need for negotiations
between all parties based on a two-state solution, recognising
the relevant Security Council resolutions.
The UK intends to vote in favour of the resolution in support of
UNRWA. We unequivocally reject attempts to undermine or degrade
UNRWA.
As my Foreign Secretary has said, the legislation passed by the
Israeli Knesset seeking to restrict UNRWA's work is unacceptable.
UNRWA has an unequivocal mandate from the UN membership to
provide life-saving aid to thousands of Palestinians in need. The
UK continues to support UNRWA to deliver important reforms which
can further strengthen their commitment to neutrality.
As the occupying power, Israel has a responsibility to ensure
Palestinians have basic services. UNRWA and UNRWA alone is
equipped to deliver that.
Today, my Prime Minister committed to an additional $16.5 million
to UNRWA to support vital services for Palestinian refugees in
the OPTs and the wider region.
While the UK intends to vote in favour of this resolution, we
wish to clarify that our position does not prejudge any future
international legal determinations referenced in the text.
President, a ceasefire, the release of the hostages now held for
over 400 days, and urgent steps to address the humanitarian
crisis, are more critical than ever. We are working urgently with
our partners to deliver on this. And to give the people of Gaza,
and of Israel, the prospect of the peaceful future that they
deserve.
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