Amid Continuing Rights Violations in Gaza, Security Council Must Do More to Enforce International Law, Its Own Resolutions, Speakers Stress as Open Debate Concludes
Concluding the open debate on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which saw ministers and other national representatives meet into the evening of 23 January, speakers today urged the Security Council to act in the face of continuing violations of international law and its own resolutions in the Gaza Strip and beyond. (For background, see Press Release SC/15569.)
“Peace-loving countries will not forget those who gave a green light to Israel to continue its aggression against the Palestinian people,” observed the representative of Oman. Stressing that “any occupation will end one day”, he said that decolonization is a project requiring much sacrifice — “often in blood”, which is the price many have paid for their dignity, independence and freedom. Against that backdrop, he urged the Council to call for a ceasefire, protect the Palestinian people and hold Israel accountable for violating international law.
On that, Mauritania’s representative, speaking for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said that Israel’s atrocities — akin to genocide — are “reminiscent of the darkest scenes in human history”, such as the 1948 Nakba. Spotlighting Israel’s “heinous crimes that demand urgent intervention on the humanitarian, legal and political fronts”, he called on the Council to do more to enforce its own resolutions, prevent further crimes of aggression and ensure Israel’s respect for — and compliance with — its obligations under international law.
“We underscore that even conflicts have rules, to which all parties are equally bound,” stressed the representative of Saint Lucia, speaking for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Both sides must comply with international law and respect their obligations enshrined in resolutions 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023). Further, she called on the Council to work constructively to ensure that Gaza — already described by the Secretary-General as a “graveyard for children” — “does not descend into a charnel house”. She added: “Discord need not preclude durable solutions.”
Syria’s representative, meanwhile, said that it is outrageous that the United States and some European countries have attempted to legitimize Israel’s aggression towards Gaza by characterizing it as legitimate self-defence. Welcoming the steps taken by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice, he pointed out that Israel continues to attack Syrian territory. Israel is fanning the flames across the entire region, he underscored, urging the Council to stop it.
Also highlighting action in other international forums, the representative of Chile recalled that his country — together with Mexico — submitted a referral to the International Criminal Court on 18 January regarding the situation in Palestine. This action aims to strengthen the investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity that occurred in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Israel. He added that attacking critical civilian infrastructure is simply not permitted.
“It is now manifestly clear that the situation on the ground demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” observed Ireland’s representative, urging the Council to call for such a measure in line with the overwhelming view of the international community. While recalling his country’s consistent condemnation of Hamas’ attacks on and since 7 October, he stressed that international law limits the use of force in self-defence to no more than is necessary and proportionate. “No more,” he repeated, stating that these limits have been exceeded.
The representative of Sri Lanka, the last speaker in the two-day debate, took the floor to say that — instead of adding to the tragic narrative in the meeting — he would silently wish and pray that sanity would prevail — sooner, rather than later.
Statements
The representative of Mauritania, speaking for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said that Israel’s atrocities — akin to genocide — are “reminiscent of the darkest scenes in human history”, such as the 1948 Nakba. The deliberate, indiscriminate killing and maiming of innocent Palestinian civilians is a testament to the genocidal intent behind these acts, he stressed. Further, the wanton destruction of residences, hospitals, schools and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) facilities further underscores Israel’s systematic persistence in eradicating the Palestinian people’s national, ethnic and religious identity. He also said that Israel’s obstruction of aid workers and denial of essential supplies exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and “constitute heinous crimes that demand urgent intervention on the humanitarian, legal and political fronts”.
He went on to say that Israel’s escalating violence and incursions into the West Bank risk further deteriorating peace and security in the region and beyond, expressing regret that the Council has so far failed to adopt a resolution to protect Palestinian civilians. As the primary UN body tasked with protection, global peace and security and justice, the Council must do more to enforce its own resolutions, prevent further crimes of aggression and acts that amount to genocide and ensure Israel’s respect for — and compliance with — its obligations under international law. Urging immediate action to halt ongoing Israeli aggression and ensure accountability for the occupying Power’s crimes against humanity, he also called for the provision of international protection for the Palestinian people and the opening of humanitarian corridors to allow vital supplies to reach Gaza.
The representative of Cuba demanded that the United States stop paralyzing the Security Council. “History will hold the United States Government accountable for its repeated complicit veto, which guarantees impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the occupying Power,” he said. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict predates 7 October 2023. Its root causes must be addressed promptly. In this context, the Council must enforce its resolutions to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory. Expressing support for a two-State solution, he advocated for urgently convening a United Nations peace conference and admitting Palestine to the Organization as a full member. He supported South Africa’s case before the International Court of Justice against Israel for genocidal acts in Gaza. He also reiterated Cuba’s proposal — at the recent Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement — to promptly dispatch a General Assembly-authorized international protection mission to Gaza. “Let us stop the double standards, selectiveness and manipulation that undermine the cause of international peace and security,” he said, stressing that the UN must work in the interest of peoples, not the war machine.
The representative of Brazil said that, “as never before, there is a need for real diplomacy and true political that will enable effective multilateral action”, he said, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza “before there is nothing left to be saved”. A ceasefire is necessary to protect civilians not only from indiscriminate or disproportionate military assaults, but also from death by hunger and disease. Alongside with relentless large-scale military operations, undue restrictions and delays to the entry of humanitarian aid in Gaza compound the hardship of civilians. In this regard, the provisional measures requested by South Africa to the International Court of Justice, with the aim of preventing the risk of genocide by requiring “the immediate suspension of military operations in and against Gaza”, are most urgent. He further warned that beyond Gaza, the escalation of hostilities in the region seem directly related to this growing sentiment of distrust and outright disregard for international law.
The representative of Iraq deplored the Council’s failure to fulfil its legal responsibility in maintaining international peace and security, namely solving the massacres and genocide perpetrated by Israeli occupation forces despite international calls for a ceasefire. Most Member States have voted in favour of two resolutions adopted at General Assembly extraordinary sessions to stop the aggression and reach a ceasefire; these calls must be responded to. Expanding the conflict will not provide a solution, he said. The solution lies in the Council adopting a resolution to stop the aggressive war against Palestinians. What happened on 7 October 2023 cannot be seen in isolation, given the accumulated violations by Israeli forces, including usurping lands and violating holy places, for more than seven decades. The Palestinian question cannot be reduced to a question about just displacement and a humanitarian crisis. He then expressed support for the case filed by South Africa at the International Court of Justice, the right of Palestinians to self-determination, and the establishment of a Palestinian State.
The representative of Portugal said that violence spreading across the region, hostages remaining in captivity, the unprecedented level of Palestinian suffering, the territory becoming unliveable and anger on the rise is laying down the foundation for future waves of youth radicalization among both Israelis and Palestinians. She condemned Hamas’ attack, expressing support for Israel’s right to self-defence. On the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, she said that collective punishment of civilians violates international humanitarian law and rejected the normalization of the suffering of Palestinian people. Preventing further loss of life in Gaza is a pressing reality, she asserted, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Relatedly, she condemned any statement that implies the relocation of Palestinians and opposed the widespread violence of radical settlers in the West Bank. She further stressed the need to prevent the spill-over of the conflict across the region, adding that peace therein should be based on a two-State solution.
The representative of Saint Lucia, speaking for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), expressed concern over unrelenting hostilities in the Gaza Strip, which “threaten an already delicate region and breed fear, mistrust and disillusionment about the possibility of a two-State solution” pursuant to resolution 242 (1967). While characterizing the situation as “grim”, she expressed hope that — where there is a convergence of strong political will and unity — a solution can be achieved. However, a precondition to this is the implementation of an immediate ceasefire. “Without it, the resulting deaths and devastation wrought in the Gaza Strip would further delay the possibility for peaceful co-existence,” she observed, calling for an immediate ceasefire to facilitate the parties’ return to the negotiating table — “a necessary step in building trust”. The immediate, unconditional release of all hostages would also operate as a confidence-building mechanism, she added.
Alongside efforts towards a ceasefire, she underlined the need for the permanent, unhindered and unconditional passage of humanitarian aid at levels commensurate with overwhelming needs. “We underscore that even conflicts have rules, to which all parties are equally bound,” she went on to say, calling on both sides to comply with their international-law obligations — particularly those relating to the conduct of hostilities, the protection of civilians, humanitarian access and the protection and freedom of movement of humanitarian personnel. All parties must also respect their obligations enshrined in resolutions 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023). She also called on the Council to work constructively to ensure that Gaza — already described by the Secretary-General as a “graveyard for children” — “does not descend into a charnel house”. Stressing that “discord need not preclude durable solutions”, she urged the Council to prioritize the needs and well-being of civilians so that both sides can work towards the vision outlined in resolution 242 (1967).
The representative of Bangladesh, aligning himself with the OIC, said that the humanitarian toll in Gaza, where more than 25,000 Palestinians have been killed, extended beyond mere numbers, adding: “It represents shattered families, broken lives, and a community grappling with unimaginable loss.” Relentless Israeli bombardments have spared nothing — hospitals, schools and religious sites have been demolished, he said, adding that the country’s aggression, killings and genocide continue. Despite getting support from the two-third majority of the General Assembly for an immediate ceasefire, efforts have failed in the Council due to the veto, disregarding the will of the international community. Israel must be held accountable for its violations of international law and UN resolutions, he said, voicing support for South Africa’s initiative at the International Court of Justice. He urged the Council to implement resolution 2720 (2023) and to act to stop the Israeli attacks in Gaza and its occupation, voicing support for a two-State solution.
The representative of Syria, associating himself with the Arab Group, said that Israel, the occupying Power, continues to implement the blockade of Gaza, prevent the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and use prohibited weapons, increasing the threat of the use of nuclear bombs. It is outrageous that the United States and some European countries have been attempting to legitimize the Israeli aggression against Gaza by regarding it as legitimate self-defence. Welcoming the steps taken by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice, he also called for an end to Israel’s policy against the occupied Golan since 1977, including attempts to change the demographic composition. Israel continues to attack the Syrian territory targeting residential areas and key infrastructure, with the most recent one on 20 January in a Damascus neighbourhood. Israel is further fanning the flames in the entire region. The Council must stop it. The European Union delegation has raised issues related to the situation in Syria, which has nothing to do with the theme of this meeting, he said, adding that his country will reserve the right to respond at a later meeting.
The representative of Cambodia voiced concern over the ongoing conflict in Gaza which has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and enormous destruction. “Without a ceasefire, many more innocent lives will be lost not only to gunfire, but also to lack of treatment for the injured and sick, diseases and food shortages,” he added. Accordingly, he called on all relevant parties to the conflict to implement relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions to save people’s lives, prevent the conflict’s spill-over in the region and achieve a ceasefire. To allow the two nations to live in harmony, the root causes of the Palestine-Israel conflict must be addressed and resolved through diplomacy. Urging all sides not to target civilian populations and infrastructure, he called for a ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.
The representative of Ireland, aligning himself with the European Union, said that “it is now manifestly clear that the situation on the ground demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire”, urging the Council to call for such a measure in line with the overwhelming view of the international community. Expressing shock over the sustained campaign of disinformation directed at UN entities — particularly UNRWA — he said the campaign must cease and called on Israel to foster a more constructive relationship with these organizations. While he recalled his country’s consistent condemnation of Hamas’ attacks on and since 7 October, he stressed that international law limits the use of force in self-defence to no more than is necessary and proportionate. “No more,” he repeated. These limits have been exceeded, he said, also expressing concern that the use of heavy munitions with wide blast areas cannot be limited to military objectives located in heavily populated urban centres — “and is therefore indiscriminate”.
The representative of Maldives said the Council’s refusal to call for a ceasefire is “astonishing”, emphasizing that that refusal prolongs “a potentially genocidal war by the most powerful military in the Middle East against Palestinians”. The Council’s failure to enforce resolution 2720 (2023) and address the continuous collective punishment of the Palestinian people may erode faith in the United Nations system and weaken multilateralism, he warned. Calling on the Council to prompt Israel to immediately implement a ceasefire, he highlighted recent calls by many powerful supporters of Israel for the establishment of an independent, sovereign State of Palestine. He further appealed to the Council to ensure deeper engagement by the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs in promoting dialogue and mediation in the Middle East.
The representative of Poland voiced firm support for a viable two-State solution based on internationally agreed parameters, calling for the swift and full implementation of the relevant Council resolutions. From the very beginning of the Israel-Gaza conflict, his country’s authorities at all levels have strongly condemned Hamas’ brutal attacks and their use of innocent civilians as human shields. He called for the release of all hostages without any preconditions. Israel, just like any other State, has the right to defend itself in the face of terror. But the right to self-defence must be exercised in full compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law. Ending the hostilities in Gaza will facilitate the process of reaching a diplomatic solution to the situation in the region, he said, underscoring the importance of developing a common position on this extremely important issue. “Otherwise, the escalation and spreading of the conflict may have further devastating and long-lasting consequences,” he warned.
The representative of Colombia demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities, warning that the escalation of violence that the world has witnessed for more than 100 days in the Middle East puts the maintenance of peace and security in that region at imminent risk. Violence only produces more violence and loss of life, leaving in its wake a disastrous legacy for societies, especially youth and future generations. Nothing justifies the death and injury of civilians, defenceless women and children, journalists or UNRWA personnel. Voicing concern over the shortage of water, food and shelter in Gaza, as well as the displacement of a high percentage of its population, she underscored that the absence of a response to the conflict generates appalling consequences for the civilian population, destabilizes the region and calls into question the very meaning of life and humanity.
The observer for the Holy See, recalling Pope Francis’ condemnation of every instance of terrorism and extremism, also recalled his statement: “This is not the way to resolve disputes between peoples.” He reiterated Pope Francis’ appeal for a ceasefire “on every front”, which would allow space for dialogue — “however difficult it might be” — to secure the release of the remaining hostages and facilitate the distribution of much-needed humanitarian aid. “It is essential to avoid an entire population paying the consequences for a heinous act of terrorism,” he stressed, adding that any action taken in self-defence must be guided by the principles of distinction and proportionality. Noting Pope Francis’ call for greater effort from the international community to defend and implement international humanitarian law — “which seems to be the only way to ensure the defence of human dignity in situations of warfare” — he concluded that the most viable way to achieve lasting peace remains the two-State solution.
The representative of Argentina expressed regret that Hamas’ attacks have not been the subject of explicit condemnation by the Security Council. Her country recognizes Israel’s right to exercise its self-defence, but deeply laments the high cost of the conflict in terms of civilian victims, including children, women, and the elderly, as well as the destruction of basic civilian infrastructure. She called for compliance with Council resolution 2720 (2023) to ensure immediate, safe and unhindered humanitarian access and also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, among them Argentinian nationals. The conflict can be resolved only through the resumption of a dialogue based on a two-State solution.
The representative of Chile underscored that the terrorist acts perpetrated by Hamas on 7 October 2023 and Israel’s indiscriminate response against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip violate international humanitarian law. Sounding alarm over the repercussions of the conflict in the region, he called for an immediate ceasefire, which remains a priority for the protection of civilians, particularly women, the elderly and children. He emphasized that there is no contradiction between a State’s legitimate self-defence or the fight against terrorism and respecting the lives of civilians. Attacking critical civilian infrastructure — including homes, health and educational facilities and shelters — is simply not permitted. On 18 January, Chile — together with Mexico — submitted a brief referral before the International Criminal Court regarding the situation in Palestine, with the objective of strengthening the investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity that occurred in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Israel.
The representative of Oman pointed out that the Council is failing to take measures to stop the situation in Gaza despite repeated calls to do so from the international community. “Peace-loving countries will not forget those who gave a green light to Israel to continue its aggression against the Palestinian people,” he observed and, addressing Israel, stated: “You need to stop this holocaust against the Palestinian people.” That State’s project of genocide, ethnic cleansing and forcible displacement is not acceptable. Stressing that “any occupation will end one day”, he said that decolonization is a project that requires much sacrifice — “often in blood”, which is the price many have paid for their dignity, independence and freedom. Concluding, he urged the Council to uphold its legal and ethical responsibilities to call for a ceasefire, protect the Palestinian people, provide for their humanitarian needs and hold Israel accountable for violating international law.
The representative of Tunisia condemned the war crimes perpetrated by Israel against Palestinian civilians. “We cannot remain silent at a time when the international community is silent and the international bodies are incapable of delivering upon their responsibilities,” he said, stressing the paramount importance of stepping up international efforts to end the bloodletting and the colonization. The Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands is the root cause of the conflict. Palestinians have continued to suffer under the yoke of occupation for more than 75 years. He rejected all attempts to force the Palestinian people out of their land, reiterating his country’s steadfast support for their resistance to the occupation and genocide.
The representative of Sri Lanka said that, instead of adding to the tragic narrative in this meeting, he would silently wish and pray that sanity would prevail sooner rather than later. He then shared lines from a verse on Middle East peace from Rabbi Sheila Weinberg, a community relations professional: “Two peoples, one land, three faiths, one root, one earth, one mother, one sky, one beginning, one future, one destiny, one broken heart, one god…” As she puts it, “let us all breathe together”, he said, recognizing the legitimate and inalienable right of the people of Palestine to Statehood based on a two-State solution. Sri Lanka chairs the United Nations Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, and it continues to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian cause, he said.