Statement by the Deputy Permanent Representative Ambassador João Genésio de Almeida Filho at the UNSC emergency meeting on Israel/Palestine - January 5th, 2023

Mr. President,

At the outset, we would like to thank Japan for scheduling this timely meeting upon the request of the United Arab Emirates and China. We also thank today's briefer for his comprehensive and instructive remarks.

With great concern, Brazil followed the recent incursion by Israel's National Security Minister to Haram-El-Sharif in Jerusalem last Tuesday. This is a deeply alarming development, for it risks further exacerbating tensions and escalating violence in an area already affected by a great deal of volatility.

Brazil considers of the utmost importance the respect for the arrangements established by the Hashemite Custody of the Holy Land regarding the administration of the Muslim holy places in Jerusalem, as provided for in the 1994 peace agreements between Israel and Jordan.

In the same vein, Brazil remains deeply committed to a just and sustainable solution to the Question of Palestine. We have

traditionally sought to act constructively in assisting the parties to engage in meaningful dialogue, with a view to building trust and achieving fair and lasting peace.

Therefore, we must oppose all actions that may lead to altering the historical status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem, for they inevitably prevent the necessary culture of peace and also violate a shared duty not only by this Council but also by the entire international community to foster stability, tolerance, and mutual understanding in the Middle East.

As we continue to monitor the situation on the ground with close attention, we urge both parties to exercise maximum restraint and avoid unilateral actions. This includes avoiding heated rhetoric, that could further aggravate tensions and undermine the mutual trust necessary for the urgent resumption of dialogue with a view to a negotiated solution to the conflict.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, Brazil reaffirms its long-standing commitment to the two-state solution, with Palestine and Israel fully viable and living together in peace and security within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders.

Striving for stability in the Middle East is nothing short of an imperative for this Council. Let us, therefore, do our utmost to help the parties translate such a noble objective into a viable negotiating process to achieve the future of peace that the region rightly deserves.