Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Briefing: Gaza Strip

Statement by Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia at a UNSC Briefing on the Humanitarian Situation in the Gaza Strip

Mr. President,

We thank Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher and UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell for their briefings – they have exposed the true scale of the ongoing tragedy affecting civilians in the Gaza Strip. With each passing day, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is hitting new grim records.

People of the enclave are living under the conditions of a major humanitarian catastrophe, they are facing unfathomable deprivation and starvation, which is killing both adults and children. At the same time, despite all the active efforts by humanitarian agencies, which enjoy virtually unanimous support from UNSC members, the humanitarian aid – which essentially is something that all residents of the enclave heavily depend on – is being provided in extremely limited quantities, which are clearly not commensurate with the scale of the disaster.

The situation is rapidly deteriorating amid a critical shortage of fuel needed to keep vital infrastructure operational. Without it, hospitals, water supply systems, and food distribution centers could be completely paralyzed, which would jeopardize the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians. We are particularly alarmed by the reports of a possible stoppage of water desalination plants. It is unacceptable that the people of Gaza, especially children, be left without access to drinking water. The collapse of the water supply system could also lead to outbreaks of contagious diseases, which would further exacerbate the humanitarian situation.

Mr. President,

The ongoing ground operations by the IDF and artillery shelling throughout the Gaza Strip are creating truly intolerable conditions for the civilian population. We strongly condemn the attacks that have killed and injured civilians. Of particular concern is the consistent and clear nature of the strikes, which are targeting locations where people congregate to get food, including distribution centers. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, since the end of May, at least 798 Palestinians have been killed in the enclave while attempting to access humanitarian assistance.

We note with particular concern the increasing number of casualties near centers related to the “The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF),” which – as many of us warned in this chamber – turned out to be a mechanism that, instead of addressing humanitarian needs, is increasingly becoming a symbol of both the humiliation of human dignity and threats to the lives of those in need of assistance. Hundreds of Palestinians killed while trying to get help are a grim reminder of this. The way this system works may pose danger to those seeking help and is morally unacceptable. We’re sure that the UN Secretariat made the right and responsible decision not to be part of this punitive action which is carried out under the guise of a humanitarian operation. We would like to remind you that just recently, more than 200 non-governmental organizations issued a joint appeal urging to stop this bloody militarized mechanism that offers Palestinians choose between two evils: to die either of starvation or waiting in line for food assistance.

Unfortunately, Israel and the US appear to continue to believe that this is an effective mechanism – they are bragging about the millions of food parcels that have been allegedly handed to civilians rather than to Hamas. These claims are controversial, to say the least, and are not borne out by what is going on the ground. One thing is clear: if Israel had facilitated rather than impeded UN humanitarian aid deliveries, there would have been at least a glimmer of hope that the humanitarian crisis could be alleviated. Today, however, we have no hopes whatsover, and the mass collective punishment of Palestinians in violation of basic IHL continues before our very eyes.

Mr. President,

We are shocked by the recent attack on civilians in Deir al-Balah – people were trying to receive food aid provided by UNICEF. Dozens of people were killed and wounded as the result of this attack. Among those killed are nine Palestinian children. On July 13, seven more children were killed in the Nuseirat camp while waiting in line for water at a humanitarian distribution center, according to the UN. These tragedies are becoming a new frightening normality. We strongly condemn the killing of innocent civilians who were only seeking vital assistance. Such attacks undermine the very possibility of saving human lives and constitute a gross violation of international humanitarian law.

Alongside the crackdown on humanitarian workers and journalists covering events in Gaza, a genuine witch hunt has been launched against UN agencies that are deemed to be undesirable. This primarily concerns UNRWA, which is an agency that for many decades has been providing support to Palestinians in the areas of humanitarian assistance, education, and healthcare. Its uninterrupted and consistent work is essential for the survival of millions of Palestinians living not only in the Gaza Strip but also, as is well known, in neighboring countries that have taken in refugees. We would like to emphasize that there has never been and cannot be any alternative to UNRWA. Along with UNRWA and the UN Secretary-General, what has also faced criticism are the relevant special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. Such actions are inconsistent with the obligations of UN Member States, and they do violate the UN Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities.

This situation requires the strongest international response. Protecting and providing for civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories is Israel’s duty as the occupying power, and it’s not for Israel’s leaders to decide if it’s okay or not. We insist that civilians’ safety be guaranteed whatever it takes. Unfortunately, all attempts by the international community to achieve even a minimal compliance with basic principles of humanity and human dignity are met with the all-out support of its ally, Washington, which has given West Jerusalem carte blanche to take any action against the Palestinians.

Mr. President,

If anyone thinks that the situation in Gaza simply cannot get any worse, they are most likely mistaken. According to the information we have, including from official Israeli sources, West Jerusalem is drafting a new plan to transfer 600,000 Palestinians to a so-called “humanitarian city” in Rafah, south of the Morag military corridor. The goal is to eventually concentrate the entire two million population of the enclave there, after checking whether they have ties to Hamas. UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has already described the plan as “the de facto creation of a mass concentration camp, whose Palestinian inhabitants will be deprived of any prospects for the future.” We would like to note that former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert shares this assessment, calling the initiative part of the Netanyahu government’s overall campaign of ethnic cleansing and deportation of Palestinians. It would be important to learn how OCHA or UNICEF assess this initiative.

Mr. President,

Unfortunately, the problems of the Palestinian people are not limited to Gaza. We are extremely alarmed by the situation in the West Bank, where intensified Israeli operations are reported, especially in the northern areas. The actions of West Jerusalem may result in widespread destruction, exacerbated humanitarian crisis and displaced families losing any hope to return to their homes. We regularly receive reports of killings and violence against Palestinians, seizures of their land and demolitions of their homes. This is unacceptable. We call on Israel to immediately cease violence in the occupied Palestinian territory, guarantee the protection of civilians, and not impede the delivery of humanitarian assistance to civilians, who need it more than ever. It is also necessary to stop the expansion and construction of settlements and put an end to provocations by settlers, who pointedly humiliate the honor and dignity of Palestinians.

Mr. President,

We have all reiterated on numerous occasions in this Chamber that as long as the military operation by the IDF is ongoing, it would be impossible to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to all those in need in the enclave. Furthermore, it is clear to all of us that rescuing the hostages held in Gaza through the use of force has proven ineffective. In this regard, we would like to once again call on the parties to swiftly reach a ceasefire agreement, with the assistance of mediators, which would lead to the release and exchange of all forcibly detained persons. At the same time, in order for the Israeli authorities to finally lift the blockade of the sector, Washington must renounce its unconditional support for Jerusalem, stop covering up its violations of international humanitarian law, and use its leverage to stabilize the situation. We are convinced that there is no alternative to this scenario and that cannot be any. This is the only way to break the vicious circle of violence and restart the Middle East peace process on the basis of the two-state solution, the ultimate goal of which is the creation of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting in peace and security with Israel. The long years of Arab-Israeli confrontation prove that there is no other peaceful scenario for the Middle East, nor can there ever be.

In this context, we welcome the intention of Saudi Arabia and France to hold a high-level international conference in support of the two-state formula to be held at the end of this month (July 28-30) in New York. We plan to actively engage in this conference.

Thank you for your attention.

Let’s post this again to illustrate the Zionazi perspective on international law.  You may say it’s gross, and indeed, it is; however, it’s accurate and valid for most.  A recent positive action by Israeli youth was a protest where they burned their draft cards and refused to go to war.  This is not the Haredim, often referred to as ultra-orthodox, who refuse to take part in war for strict religious reasons.   We may differ with the UNSC on a two-state solution.  In reality, this may be the only action that will work, to put the Israelis currently in the occupied territories under Palestinian authority.  See how they run ..

We’ve also had reporting on where the IDF soldiers run to, as they are clearly guilty of war crimes and are now more frequently arrested when found in other countries.  They have an open sesame from Argentina, where Milei welcomes them.  Those who know the history will recall that Argentina is the country where German Nazi’s fled to in order to escape legal consequences for their actions.  The terminology ‘zionazi’ is thus the best we have today.

Furthermore, the consequences worldwide are becoming increasingly severe.  The Hague Group conference in Bogota, Colombia, has just concluded.  Two dozen countries agreed to six measures to “restrain Israel’s assault on the Occupied Palestinian Territories”.  In stark contrast, the EU also had a meeting, where they refused to suspend their Association Agreement with Israel.   Updates will be provided in a separate post, as much information on the ICC and the sanctions against its officials with fully made-up sexual harassment allegations is now also being released.

Noxious evil stews in those pots.