End the war and recognize Palestine: UNSC

Work harder to end the war in Gaza and recognize the State of Palestine were the messages once more from many countries on Wednesday (24 January), taking part in the two-day Security Council debate over the Middle East crisis.

More than 70 delegates voiced serious concerns about the ongoing humanitarian “catastrophe” as the conflict in Gaza approaches its fourth month.

Council members alongside the wider UN membership on Tuesday established the major theme of the debate: urging Israel to accept a two-State solution or risk a perpetual war which is an increasing threat global stability.

The Palestinian people’s right to build their own fully independent State must be “recognized by all”, and any refusal to accept the two-State solution by any party must be “firmly rejected”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at the outset of that meeting.

“The two-State solution is the only way to address the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians,” he told the Council.

Some of Tuesday’s speakers called for the Council to overcome its veto-led impasse and stop the bloodshed and “humanitarian disaster” in Gaza.

The 15-member organ tasked with ensuring international peace and security must also hold Israel more accountable for an ongoing “genocide” against Palestinians, some speakers insisted.

Mauritania’s Ambassador Sidi Mohamed Laghaf, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), said the deliberate killing of civilians was indicative of the intent to commit genocide. 

Raising a range of concerns, he pointed to the mass destruction of civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and rejected any efforts to forcibly displace Palestinians, which in itself “amounts to a war crime”. The only way forward is through a two-State solution, he stated.

Brazilian Ambassador Sérgio França Danese underlined the need “for real diplomacy and true political will” that enables effective multilateral action to end the conflict and forge a path to revive the two-State solution.

“Now, we are witnessing the cruellest war, one that seriously threatens the prospect of a peaceful co-existence between Israelis and Palestinians,” he said, calling for “an immediate ceasefire in Gaza before there is nothing left to be saved”.

What is urgently needed are the provisional measures requested by South Africa to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), with the aim of preventing the risk of genocide by requiring the immediate ceasefire, but that does not tackle the root causes of the conflict, he said.

Deputy Permanent Representative of Iraq, Abbas Kadhom Obaid Al-Fatlawi, said the siege and collective punishment of Palestinians continues, and the Council has failed to act, leading to a “humanitarian disaster”. 

Israel has been ignoring calls for a ceasefire, even though UN Member States have adopted two resolutions at Emergency Special Sessions to stop the aggression.

“Expanding the conflict will not provide a solution,” he said. “The solution lies in the Security Council adopting a resolution to stop this war.” Recalling the devastation in Gaza, Syria’s Ambassador, Alhakam Dandy, said Israel is using prohibited weapons, including phosphorous, and is committing crimes against humanity and crimes of genocide. 

Some countries are attempting to legitimize Israel’s actions, "making executioners into victims" in the name of self defence. Israel must be held accountable, he said, calling on the Council to adopt effective and immediate measures to end Israeli attacks and to halt impunity. 

Condemning the 7 October attacks against Israel, Ireland’s Ambassador Fergal Mythen, reiterated a call for the release of hostages. At the same time, Israel must limit its action in Gaza, in line with international humanitarian laws requiring military operations to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, he said.

Ending the war hinges on a two-State solution, and Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu’s rejection of this vision is not acceptable, he continued.