Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - December 19th, 2023

Thank you, Mr President.

I also thank Mr Wennesland for his briefing. 

Brazil deeply regrets that resolution 2334 continues to be disregarded, a fact that only aggravates the negative trends imperiling the two-State solution. Regrettably, that is the case of almost every single resolution passed by this Council regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – not to mention those that were simply vetoed.

As the world watches the appalling human toll of the ongoing war in Gaza with astonishment and powerlessness, settlement activities in contravention of international law have continued and expanded, relentlessly and undisturbed, throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in flagrant violation of international law and in defiance to the authority of this Council.

We are deeply concerned by the increase in the displacement of Palestinians from their homes as a result of settlement activities, which only worsened after the 7 October terrorist attacks against Israel, as well as by the intensification of settler violence in the West Bank. State violence has been on the rise not just in Gaza. Demolitions, eviction orders and other types of attacks against Palestinians and their households have further expanded in Palestinian land, including East Jerusalem.

The latest Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of resolution 2334 reminds us of the gravity of  the situation, including the staggering numbers of victims and the amount of destruction caused by the war. Unprecedented levels of violence and destruction in a region already marked by serious instability have, in the latest reporting period, produced the deadliest record for both Israelis and Palestinians in the history of this 75 year old conflict.

UN officials – including the Secretary-General – have also warned us about the imminent collapse of the humanitarian system in Gaza, prompted by military operations imperiling the safety of humanitarian workers, and by decisions to limit the inflow of humanitarian aid to those in need. Our failure in responding to their call for help – through a ceasefire and the scaling up of humanitarian aid – has contributed to further loss of innocent lives.

Mr President,

With its slow action, the Council has been condoning this never-ending cycle of violence and lawlessness for far too long. Our inability not just to pass meaningful resolutions, but also to enforce decisions already adopted, has created the impression that, in the Middle East, the only law that matters is the law of the strongest.

This state of affairs is not in the interest of anyone. On the contrary, it only breads further violence and resentment. It also encourages contempt for the law and disbelief in the ability of the international community to deliver on its promise of, and on its commitment to, a two-State solution, with Israel and a viable State of Palestine living side by side in peace and security, within mutually agreed and internationally recognized borders. 

Our collective duty to advance durable peace in the Middle East requires from us, now, that we ensure respect for international law by all parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, including the protection of civilians, the release of hostages and 5 the delivery of humanitarian aid. In the Occupied Palestinian territory as a whole, through justice, accountability and reconciliation, including by putting an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and the respect of all pertinent Security Council resolutions.

Thank you.