Statement by the Delegation of Ukraine at the UN Security Council meeting “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”
Mr. President, distinguished members of the Security Council,
I also recognize the representative of putin’s regime in the permanent seat of the Soviet Union. He represents the aggressor that denies the right of my country to exist, terrorizes and kills our people, kidnaps children, rapes women and takes hostages.
I don’t think that I should continue with the list of such crimes after they have been mentioned for many hours in this Chamber in the overwhelming majority of interventions that condemned terrorism.
I would like to continue by thanking Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland and Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Lynn Hastings for their briefings.
It has been eighteen days that the hostilities in the Middle East region, provoked by the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks of Hamas across Israel, continue.
In this regard, we firmly support Israel in its right to defend itself in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
There is no justification for any types of terror in the modern world and Ukraine reconfirms its strong condemnation of Hamas attacks that killed and wounded several thousand people, including citizens of Ukraine. We also condemn the practice of hostage-taking, the practice that Ukraine has also suffered in its liberation war against Russia, and we demand immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
This terror not only targets human lives today. It also aims to undermine the prospects of peaceful future for two peoples as there will be no place for such structures as Hamas in such a future.
That’s why Hamas has plunged the region into hostilities, that’s why its militants embed themselves in the civilian population and use civilians as a human shield. We strongly condemn this shameful practice.
Ukrainians feel deeply the pain of war. We convey our condolences to the families of victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured at Al Ahli Hospital.
It is now critically important to avoid further increase in the number of civilian casualties both in Israel and Palestine. We urge to strictly abide by the rules of warfare and respect the norms of international humanitarian law. Every possible precaution must be taken to minimize harm to civilians.
Ukraine is convinced that humanitarian support and access must be maintained into Gaza to enable essential aid, water, food and medicines to reach civilians. Also, all hostages must be released immediately.
Mr. President,
It’s also clear that we must avoid further escalation of any conflict in the region. The Middle East peace process remains the basis of any efforts aimed at restoring regional stability and security. Ukraine has consistently supported the implementation of the principle of two states, Israel and Palestine, which will live side by side in peace and security, and advocates the settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict with the help of political and diplomatic means.
We are confident that a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace in the Middle East can be realized within the framework of unconditional implementation by the parties of relevant UN Security Council resolutions and other international agreements.
Thank you.
