Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the Open Debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - January 20th, 2025

Mr. President, 

Brazil commends the Algerian presidency for convening this timely debate and warmly welcomes the entry into force of the ceasefire in Gaza. We strongly call on the parties involved to respect its terms and to guarantee a permanent cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages, and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. 

This is a fundamental step to halt the cycle of violence in Gaza, to provide the much-needed humanitarian assistance, and to lay the ground for the reconstruction of that territory. As the leading organization supporting Palestinian refugees, UNRWA provides humanitarian assistance and essential services, such as healthcare and education. We must ensure that UNRWA can perform its irreplaceable work without obstruction. Preserving the invaluable mandate of UNRWA is critical to the successful implementation of the deal. 

We also call on the parties to fully implement the terms of the agreement, a first step towards a comprehensive settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The withdrawal of Israel from the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as determined by the General Assembly last September, upon the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, is a precondition to achieve sustainable peace and long-term prosperity in the Middle East. 

There are no alternatives. History has shown it. Annexation of the occupied land and the segregation of stateless Palestinians are neither acceptable nor sustainable options. 

The present status quo has led to a perpetual state of active or latent belligerency. The international community has not been able to guarantee the protection of the human rights of the Palestinian people, including their self-determination, and to ensure peace for the entire region. This should be at the starting point of the upcoming High-Level International Conference on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution next June. 

Brazil is ready to engage constructively in the Conference.

In the lead-up to it and beyond, we look forward to examining proposals and acting upon them in order to comply with the relevant UN resolutions on the Question of Palestine, including resolution ES-10/24, and to advance on the implementation of the conclusions of the International Court of Justice on the issue. 

Colleagues, 

The achievement of a ceasefire will not efface the consequences of a ruthless and cruel campaign waged against the Palestinian people for more than a year. Over 46,000 dead, mostly women and children. Other tens of thousands maimed, seriously wounded, or unaccounted for. Whole families taking no active part in hostilities wiped out. Hundreds of journalists, medical and humanitarian workers prevented from working, targeted, and killed. Civilian infrastructure, including healthcare and schools, destroyed. At least 1.9 million people across the Gaza Strip forcibly displaced. International Humanitarian Law ignored and grossly violated.

That cannot go unaccounted for, be forgotten, or be repeated. Making justice is imperative to prevent such horrors from happening again, in Gaza and elsewhere. 

Bereaved Israelis and Palestinians will need to learn to coexist. If not today, tomorrow, in this future of peace they all deserve. 

As we look ahead, cautiously hopeful that the cease fire now in place and especially the Conference in June will start an irreversible path towards sustainable peace in the Middle East, Brazil reaffirms its willingness to contribute to the two-state solution, with an independent and viable State of Palestine living side by side with Israel, in peace and security, within the 1967 borders, which include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

Thank you.