STATEMENT : UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL QUARTERLY OPEN DEBATE ON THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION

STATEMENT BY

MR. SOFIAN AKMAL ABD. KARIM

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE

PERMANENT MISSION OF MALAYSIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL QUARTERLY OPEN DEBATE ON

THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION

Mr. President,

At the last debate in January, we were heartened that a ceasefire was attained in Gaza, providing reprieve to civilians enduring untold suffering. It saw the re-entry of humanitarian aid, and the return of Palestinians to their destroyed homes. Unfortunately, this positive development was short-lived. On 18 March, Israel decided to resume its siege on the Palestinian people in Gaza, abrogating the delicate ceasefire facilitated by Egypt, Qatar and the United States. It returned to blocking humanitarian assistance and forcibly displacing Palestinians from their homes. Worst, it executed first responders and tried to portray them as terrorists. The Israeli leadership is blatantly instrumentalising the plight of the hostages for political ends, and for advancing its nefarious plans of annexing Palestinian land. Such action is abhorrent.

2. While the ceasefire was in place in Gaza, Israel resorted to exacerbate the dire situation in the West Bank. Illegal settlements have mushroomed, while swathes of Palestinian land have been appropriated as Israeli state land. Settlers receive full protection from Israeli forces as they terrorise Palestinians.  

3. It is imperative that the aggression in Gaza and the expropriation of land in the West Bank by Israel be brought to an immediate end. A restoration of the ceasefire in Gaza and implementation of the second and third phases of the agreement must be accomplished without delay. We call on the Security Council to support the Arab-OIC Recovery and Reconstruction Plan, which would supplement the three-phase ceasefire agreement, and lay the much-needed political horizon. It is a feasible plan that has been supported by many.

4. Additionally, the High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Resolution of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution in June this year is an opportune moment to chart a clear and irreversible path towards ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory and a sovereign Palestinian state. We count on the Security Council’s support towards this process, particularly in ensuring compliance with the outcome to be adopted.

5. We continue to deplore the systematic attacks against UNRWA. We regret the cessation of funding to the Agency by several donors. It is imperative that UNRWA continues to be supported in the discharge of its mandate, until empowered Palestinian institutions are able to assume the indispensable services provided by the Agency, and a just solution to the question of Palestinian refugees, as outlined in General Assembly Resolution 194, is attained.

6. In conclusion, we reiterate our utmost hope that the 80^th anniversary of the United Nations this year will finally bring about a lasting solution to the longstanding conflict. We call on all parties to muster the political will to ensure that international law is upheld, and the inalienable right to self-determination of the Palestinian people is supported, to bring about lasting peace and security to the region.

Thank you.