Statement by the Permanent Representative Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho in the Security Council meeting on the Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question - January 19th, 2022
Thank you madam President, and thank you Mr. Wennesland for the updates brought to the Council. We would also like to thank EcoPeace Middle East for their insightful work and ideas. Their efforts remind us how Palestine´s prosperity and Israel´s security are intertwined. Cooperation and mutual respect cultivated from bottom up are both welcome and desired, as are new perspectives and initiatives aimed at a just and lasting solution to the conflict. The Abraham Accords are also such an effort, and through them old rivalries give way to dialogue and diplomacy.
Madam President,
As we begin a new mandate as an elected member, we are concerned to see how little progress has been made in the Middle East Peace Process since the last time we sat in the Council. New challenges keep emerging, while existing crises continue unresolved, taking a heavy toll on human life across the region.
We have witnessed already a dangerous escalation in violence as the year began, with increasing tensions in the Gaza strip. The episode showed how the cease-fire achieved in May 2021 remains fragile. We take this opportunity to stress that there can be no justification for any attacks against civilians. We urge both parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint, and protect civilian lives.
Despite the rise in violence, we were pleased to see the recent direct talks taking place between Palestinian and Israeli high-level authorities. Dialogue is essential for addressing urgent challenges that affect both sides. It is also an important confidence building measure to rekindle the political process, and we hope that such meetings can become ever more frequent.
Madam President,
As the Special Coordinator pointed out, the economic and fiscal crisis in the Palestinian territories worsens the prospects for political stability. We were encouraged by the first round of local elections that were held last December, and we expect the second round can be held as planned next March. Transparent and inclusive elections are an essential step to strengthen the legitimacy and credibility of Palestinian institutions, and should be supported.
The situation in Gaza remains worrisome. Poverty and political instability constitute fertile ground to extremist forces. Brazil supports the reconstruction of Gaza and the provision of humanitarian aid on a predictable, responsible and regular basis. We would also like to acknowledge Norway´s efforts in improving Gaza´s situation through cooperation, by hosting the AHLC and the Middle East Quartet´s meetings, last November.
As the only Latin American country with a seat in UNRWA´s Advisory Commission, Brazil is concerned about the lack of resources to sustain essential services to 2 million refugees across the region – education, healthcare services and other basic needs. We continue to be fully committed to UNRWA´s valuable work.
In closing, Madam President, let me reiterate Brazil´s longstanding commitment to the achievement of a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, with Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace and security, in two democratic, prosperous and sovereign states, within secure and internationaly recognized borders.