UN Security Council on the conflict in Gaza

At the 9439th meeting, the United Nations Security Council will address the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question.

The Security Council failed to adopt a draft resolution introduced by Russia on the recent escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza and the ensuing humanitarian crisis.

The draft resolution failed to get the minimum nine votes needed in the 15-member body, having received five votes in favour (China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates) and four against (France, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States), with six abstentions (Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland).

The resolution would have called for a humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza

Following the vote, the Permanent Representative of Russia, Vasily Nebenzya, said, “We regret that the Council, once again, has found itself hostage to the selfish intentions of the Western bloc of countries. This is the only reason why it was not able to send a clear, strong and collective message aimed at de-escalation. We're talking about the most serious explosion of violence over the past decades. Today, the entire world waited with bated breath for the Security Council to take steps in order to put an end to the bloodletting. But the delegations of the Western countries have basically stomped on those expectations.”

The Permanent Representative of the United States, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said, “Russia’s resolution, put forward without any consultations, make no mention of Hamas, none. By failing to condemn Hamas, Russia is giving cover to a terrorist group that brutalizes innocent civilians. It is outrageous. It is hypocritical and it is indefensible.”

The Russia text was one of two drafts being considered. The second one, introduced by Brazil, that should be put to a vote on Tuesday, calls for humanitarian pauses to allow aid access and condemns the Palestinian militant Hamas for its attacks on Israel.

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Episode Transcript

(00:04):
Thank you for listening to Pictures MediaRadio. The nine four hundred and thirty

(01:12):
ninth Meeting of the Security Council isresumed. The provisional agenda for this meeting
is the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question. The agenda
is adopted in accordance with Rule thirtyseven of the Council's Provisional Rules of Procedure.

(01:34):
I invite the representatives of Bahrang,Bangladesh, Belarus, Djibouti, Egypt,
Eritrea, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mali,
Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Katar, Saudi

(01:57):
Arabia, the Sudan, Turkey,the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Yemen and
Zimbabwe to participate in this meeting.It is so decided I propose that the
Council invite the Permanent Observer of theState of Palestine, of the Observer State

(02:23):
of Palestine to the United Nations toparticipate in the meeting, in accordance with
the Provisional Rules of Procedure and theprevious practice in this regard. There being
no objection, it is so decidedthe Security Council will now begin its consideration

(02:44):
of Item two of the agenda.Members of the Council have before them document
as Slash twenty twenty three Slash sevenseventy two submitted by Bahrain, Bangladesh,
Belarus, Jibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait,

(03:15):
Lebanon, Mali, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Oman,
Pakistan, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, the Sudan, Turkey,
the United Arab Emirates, the BolivarianRepublic of Venezuela, Yemen and Zimbabwe.

(03:38):
I saw correct myself. Israel isnot part of that list, and
now give the floor to those membersof the Council who wish to make statements
before the vote. I give thefloor to the representative of the Russian Federation.

(04:06):
Long mister Presidents, distinguished colleagues,Russia from the very outset called upon
the Council to respond to the unprecedentedexacerbation of the current crisis. Unfortunately,
for five days there were no shiftsin that direction. We once again underscore

(04:28):
that we condemn what took place onthe seventh of October and the death of
Israeli civilians as well as the deathsof civilians in the Gaza Strip. Given
that the number of killed and woundedis growing with every hour that passes,
we cannot wait any longer, seeinghow valuable time is being wasted with the

(04:51):
repetition of the same discussions or inactionof the Council, and on the Friday
of October, we propose that theCouncil consider a brief, purely humanitarian draft
resolution that we proposed. Its mainelement was a call for an immediate,
durable and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire.As you will understand, without a ceasefire,

(05:15):
it will not be possible for thereto be any humanitarian efforts. Moreover,
our draft stipulates condemning all violence andall terrorist attacks, the opening up
of humanitarian corridors, and the saferelease of all hostages. I underscore that
no fundamental, well argumented objections fromhardly any members of the Security Council regarding

(05:36):
our proposed initiative have been received.In general, only one delegation objected and
no substantive comments followed. On Saturday, the fourteenth of October, we asked
the Presidency to schedule a vote onour draft for the sixteenth of October,
and we opened the document up forco sponsorship among the UN membership. We

(05:59):
think that delegations that co sponsored ourdocument, it is telling that our draft,
in addition to other countries, hasbeen co sponsored by a member many
members from the Arab Group. Itwas supported by Palestine as well. This
is a purely humanitarian text and wewill not understand if anybody decides not to

(06:20):
support it exclusively from selfish geo politicalconcerns. We call upon the members of
the Council to support our draft.Thank you. I thank the representative of
the Russian Federation for their statement.The Council is ready to proceed to the

(06:44):
vote on the draft resolution. Beforeit shall put the draft resolution to the
vote. Now, will those infavor of the draft resolution contained in document
meant as Slash twenty twenty three slashseven seven to two please raise their hand.

(07:30):
Those are guests, yes, abstentions. The result of the voting is

(08:13):
as follows, five votes in favor, four votes against, six abstentions.
The draft resolution has not been adopted, having failed to obtain the required number

(08:33):
of votes. I now give thefloor to those members of the Council who
wish to make statements after the vote. I give the floor to the representative

(08:54):
of the Russian Federation, Mister President. Colleagues, we regret that the Council
once again has found itself a hostageto the ego, to the selfish intentions
of the Western bloc of countries.This is the only reason why it was

(09:18):
not able to send a clear,strong and collective message aimed at de escalation.
We're talking about the most serious explosionof violence over the past decades.
Today, the entire world weighted withbated breath for the Security Council to take
steps in order to put an endto the blood letting, but the delegations

(09:43):
of the Western countries have basically stompedon those expectations. We believe that today's
vote in the Security Council is verydemonstrative. It It clearly shows who are
in favor of a truce, stopof indiscriminate bombing and a provision of humanitarianis

(10:07):
is and who is still in favorof blocking a single common message from the
Security Council for purely selfish interests andpolitical interests. Based on the results of
the vote and the comments, noone should have any further illusions. We

(10:30):
believe that independently of the outcome ofthe vote on our draft, it in
any case fulfilled its task. Ithas contributed to launching a substance of discussion
in the Security Council on this topic. Without our encouragement, everything would probably

(10:50):
have been limited to empty discussions.We are extremely concerned by the unprecedented humanitarian
catastrophe and the very high risk ofthe conflict spreading. Thank you. I
thank the representative of the Russian Federationfor their statement, and I now give

(11:13):
the floor to the Representative of theUnited States. Thank you, mister President.
Just over a week ago, terrorwas unleashed on Israel bi Hmas,
whose stated purpose is to destroy Israeland kill Jews. This was the worst

(11:35):
massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust, and I want to say that again.
This was the worst massacre of Jewishpeople since the Holocaust. It was
an appalling human tragedy that has broughtto the surface painful scars left by a

(11:56):
millennia of anti Semitism. Hamas terroristsslaughtered more than a thousand civilians, including
American citizens, entire families, children, babies, and the elderly, and
Hamas took innocent people hostage, includingAmerican citizens and the citizens of several members

(12:22):
of this Council. The brutality ofHamas brings to mind the most highness atrocities
committed by Isis, and Hamas's actionshave led to the dire humanitarian crisis facing
the people of Gaza. Civilians shouldnot have to suffer for Hamasa's atrocities,

(12:46):
and this Council and the entire internationalcommunity has a responsibility to help address this
humanitarian crisis, unequivocally condemn Hamas,and reaffirm Israel's inherent right to self defense
under the UN Charter. Unfortunately,Russia's resolution presented today does not meet all

(13:11):
of these responsibilities. Russia's resolution,put forward without any consultations, make no
mention of Hamas none By failing tocondemn Hamas, Russia's giving cover to a
terrorist group that brutalizes innocent civilians,it is outrageous, it is hypocritical,

(13:33):
and it is indefensible. Colleagues,the United States could not support Russia's resolution,
which, in ignoring Hamas's terrorism,dishonors victims. We agree that this
Council should take action, but wehave to get it right and will work

(13:56):
intensively with all members on the Councilto do so. Colleagues, the vast
majority of families in Gaza are sufferingthrough no fault of their own. As
I've said, Hamas set the humanitariancrisis in Gaza in motion, and we
cannot allow this Council to unfairly shiftthe blame to Israel and excuse Hamas for

(14:22):
his decades of cruelty period. Aswe speak, Secretary Blincoln and the White
House are engaged in intensive discussions withthe highest levels of the Israeli government and
other countries in the region to securethe immediate and unconditional release of hostages and

(14:43):
facilitate humanitarian access and relief. Andwe're actively engaged with other partners in the
region and the United Nations to helpmeet the needs of people in Gaza.
It is critical that civilians have accessto essential food, water, medicine,

(15:05):
and shelter. Let me repeat itis critical. We have called on countries
in the region to allow and facilitatefull, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access
in Gaza in line with the principlesof humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and

(15:26):
independence. The United States is proudto be the largest international humanitarian donor to
the Palestinian people, and yesterday theUnited States announced the appointment of Special Envoy
David Sattersville, who will lead USdiplomatic efforts to promote the safety of civilians

(15:48):
and urgently address this humanitarian crisis incoordination with the United Nations and US partners,
We're doing all we can to helpfacilitate access to basic necessities, including
food, water, and medicine.Colleagues, as President Biden may clear,

(16:08):
we're working with Israel to ensure thatthey have what they need to defend the
Israeli people, rescue hostages, andtake necessary action to hold terrorists accountable for
these attacks. The United States hasreiterated to our Israeli partners the need to
protect civilian life consistent with international humanitarianlaw. Protection of civilians and the protection

(16:36):
of people who are trying to getto safety must be a central focus for
everyone involved. We will continue tourge our Israeli partners to work to minimize
the risks of civilian casualties. Thebottom line is this, you cannot claim
to stand with the Palestinians and theirlegitimate aspirations if you do not stand squarely

(17:02):
against hamas Hamas does not stand forthe Palestinian people's rights to dignity and self
determination. The path of terror thatHamas is engaged on has not improved the
life of a single person, nordone anything to advance peace and stability.

(17:23):
On the contrary, all Hamas hasever brought to the Palestinian people in the
region is misery, chaos, anddestruction. Colleagues, over the coming days
and weeks and months, let uswork together to prevent the conflict from spreading
and addressing this humanitarian crisis, andlet us work together to hold Hamas accountable

(17:47):
for his terrorist acts against Israel andfor standing in the way of the peace
and stability that Israelis and Palestinians alikedeserve. Thank you, mister President.
I thank the Representative of the UnitedStates for their statement, and I now
give the floor to the Representative ofJapan. Thank you, mister President.

(18:14):
We voted against the resolutions, notmainly for the contents of the resolution.
Of course, the resolution could becould have been improved if it's put in
a larger context than the perspectives.And we are second to none in caring

(18:36):
the humanitarian institution on the ground.We are second to none in carrying the
human rights with Palestines as well asis Lilies. Our track record of corporation
in the country explained that. Butwe voted against because the way the resolution
was handled. We still do notunderstand why Russian Federation, our esteemed colleague,

(19:03):
insisted to put the resolution to votewhile there is a chance for further
engagement by which we could have avoidedshowing the disunity. Disunity of the Council,
and that is something we have witnessedday to day, and I don't

(19:26):
think it's helpful. It's not helpfulto any one. I think we have
to make clear and we have toremind that resolution itself not is an end
in itself. We need to havea resolution, united resolution that could really
deliver things on the ground to helpthe people, Palestinian people. But this

(19:53):
was, not, unfortunately the case. So this is the reason we voted
against. Thank you. I thankthe Representative of Japan for their statement,
and I now give the floor tothe Representative of the United Kingdom. Thank
you. President. The United Kingdomis outraged at Hamas terror attacks in Israel

(20:18):
and supports Israel's right to self defensein line with international law. We're also
working urgently to respond to the deterioratinghumanitarian situation in Gaza. We have voted
no on the draft resolution put forwardby the Russian delegation. We cannot support

(20:48):
a resolution which fails to condemn Hamasterror attacks. As my Prime Minister said
earlier today, Hamas action were anexistential strike at the very idea of Israel
as a safe homeland for the Jewishpeople. It is unconscionable for this Council

(21:14):
to ignore the largest terror attack inIsrael's history. We remain clear too,
that all possible measures on the groundmust be taken to ensure civilian casualties are
minimized and to facilitate humanitarian aid.President, the gravity of the situation requires

(21:41):
serious Council discussion. This draft andthis process was not a serious attempt to
find Council consensus. So we lookforward to continuing consultations on the basis of
the Presidency's proposals. I thank you, I thank the Representative of the United

(22:07):
Kingdom for their statement, and Inow give the floor to the Representative of
Malta. Thank you. President Maltaabstained on this draft on this resolution.
The text proposed by the Russian Federationleft out important elements that also need to
be recognized and addressed by this Counsel. While fully cognizant of the need for

(22:33):
dire humanitarian relief to reach the peopleof Gaza without further delay, Malta notes
that the texts excludes crucial elements thatare currently impacting the situation on the ground.
We believe that these also need tobe addressed. We reiterate our condemnation
in the strongest possible terms of theterrorist acts perpetrated by Hamas on Israel.

(23:00):
Understand that Israel has the right tolive in peace and security. It has
the right to save defense, butalways in line with humanitarian and international law
and in accordance with the principles ofdistinction and proportionality. With complete understanding of
the urgency of the issue, Maltaremains determined in engaging in a constructive manner

(23:22):
on the way forward. We stressthe need for this counsel to take action
on the situation which is of graveconcern. Thank you. I thank the
Representative of Malta for their statement,and I now give the floor to the
Representative of Ecuador l Thank you verymuch, mister President. In this intervention,

(23:48):
I'm going to refer to the draftresolution on which we've just voted.
My delegation, Mister President, regretsthat the Russian Federation has put to a
vote of the Council a draft resolutionthat was not the subject of a process

(24:11):
of negotiations and therefore consequently only reflectsthe position of the proposing state. The
text was put in blue in spiteof the requests of several members of the
Council for an extension of the timenecessary to consider it, even though there

(24:34):
were some unresolved concerns, and thePresident of the Council at the same time
was making an effort to incorporate thepoints of view of all the members of
the Council in a common text andpursuing into a collective appeal made at our

(24:57):
meeting this Friday. It has beenstated very correctly that there are two inseparable
dimensions of the tragedy that we're witnessing. However, the draft resolution of the
Russian Federation does not mention or evenless condemns the terrorist attacks of Hamas,

(25:23):
which is the direct cause of theescalation of violence and the consequent humanitarian crisis,
nor does it contain any mention ofinternational humanitarian law and the obligation to
respect that law or the urgency orthe seriousness of the situation, and that
seriousness cannot in any way be usedto obtain to score political points or ephemeral

(25:52):
victories. This Council should adopt resolutionsthat seek to put an end to the
humans suffering in constructive way. Inaddition, mister President, we would like
to note that all the elements ofthe texts of the Russian Federation were taken

(26:12):
on board in the resolution negotiated bythe Brazilian Presidency and that are continuing to
be the subject of consultations. Forthese reasons, we abstained on the draft
resolution presented by the Russian Federation.Thank you very much. I thank the
Representative of Ecuador for their statement,and I now give the floor to the

(26:36):
Representative of Switzerland. President. Thankyou, mister President. Since the seventh
of October, Switzerland has firmly condemnedthe acts of terror in discriminate attacks and
hostage taking carried out by Hamas againstthe Israeli population. We deplore the deaths

(26:56):
of thousands of civilians, including hunterof children, in Israel and the occupied
Palestinian territory, notably Gaza, andwe express our most sincere condolences to their
loved ones, as well as tothose of the members of staff of the
United Nations and other humanitarian organizations whohave died in the line of duty.

(27:18):
We commend the courage of their colleaguesthat remain engaged in a large scale humanitarian
crisis in Gaza. Hundreds of thousandsof civilians have had to evacuate their homes,
and like the rest of the peopleof Gaza, are currently in an
extremely precarious situation, without protection andwithout access to essential services or external assistance.

(27:38):
Mister President, Switzerland shares the senseof urgency and the great deal of
concern and therefore the need for theCouncil to act in unison faced with the
situation in the Middle East, asthe Secretary General has reminded us, de
escalation, the protection of civilians andthe release of all hostages, and the
delivery of humanitarian assistance are priorities.With those priorities in mind, Switzerland nevertheless

(28:03):
chose to abstain on the resolution submittedby Russia. As we reiterate at every
opportunity, and in particular in thecontext of large scale humanitarian crises, Switzerland
believes that this Council cannot skimp evenin emergencies, or perhaps above all,
in emergencies, cannot skimp on aclear reference to international humanitarian law. Even

(28:29):
armed conflicts have rules. For Switzerland, the omission of a clear reference to
international humanitarian law in a Council resolution, even though the situation is constitutive of
an armed conflict, is simply notadmissible. It is up to this Council
to make sure that respect for internationalhumanitarian law is a priority by calling upon
all parties to respect the basic rulesof the conduct of hostilities and humanitarian access,

(28:55):
the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructureoperation, and humanitarian personnel. Calls
for respect for international humanitarian law mustalso help hold back a spiral of violence
which could engulf the entire region.For that reason, we remain actively.
We will remain actively and constructively committedto giving pride of place to the rules

(29:19):
of international humanitarian law in at thealternative proposals submitted by your delegation. Mister
President, and I would like totake this opportunity to thank you for the
vast work that you've already done tofind consensus among this Council. We are
aware of the vast effort of compromisethat still needs to be made in order
to resolve the outstanding issues, andwe hope that the Council will quickly be

(29:42):
able to unify its efforts in orderto adopt a resolution that goes in that
direction. We count on the constructiveengagement of all members of this Council.
Thank you. I thank the Representativeof Switzerland for their statement, and I
now give the fe or to theRepresentative of China. Thank you, mister

(30:07):
President. Mister President, the newround of conflict between Palastine industrial continues to
escalate, which has already caused heavycivilian casualties and the humanitarian crisis. Its
spill over effect is impacting regional peaceand stability. China is deeply concerned about
this. We condemn all acts thatharm civilians and oppose any violation of international

(30:33):
law. We support the security comesin playing a responsible role and support all
efforts that aim to facilitate the escalationof the conflict and restoration of peace.
We welcome all initiatives conducive to protectingcivilians and easing the humanitarian crisis. Based
on this position, we voted forthe draft resolution that were put to vote.

(31:02):
In light of this grave situation,China caused for stopping the fighting as
as possible, preventing it from spreadingendlessly and avoiding further deterioration of the situation.
Military means are not the way outviolence, for violence will only lead
to an endless vicious cycle. Chinacaused out relevant countries to take an objective

(31:26):
and just position hit the brakes sothat we could avoid a large scale conflict
and humanitarian disaster and avoid causing aneven bigger blowed regional and international security.
In light of this grave situation,China caused for observing the international humanitarian law
and making all efforts to ensure thesecurity of civilians. The protection of civilians

(31:49):
in armed conflict is a red lineon the international humanitarian law. Civilians should
not be the target of military operations. The indiscriminate use of force is unacceptable.
The maintenance of one's own security cannotcome at the cost of harm innocent
civilians. The safety of UAN staffand humanitarian workers must be guaranteed. China

(32:14):
supports diplomatic and mediation efforts so thatthe hostages can be released at an early
date. In light of this gravesituation, China calls for the opening of
a humanitarian relief corridor as soon aspossible to avoid a more serious humanitarian disaster.
We are seriously concerned about the consequencesof Israel's in position for full siege

(32:38):
on Gaza and its order of anemergency evacuation of the population northern Gaza.
We hope that Isral heated appeals ofinternational community and resume the water, electricity
and fuel supply to Gaza and stopthe collective punishment of the people in Gaza.
We support the opening of humanitarian corridorat early dates so that food,

(33:00):
medicine, and other King manditionary reliefsupplies could be delivered in a timely and
smooth manner. We appreciate the effortsby Egypt and other countries concerned in this
regard. At the same time,China caused on the international community to increase
its input and support UN humilitary agenciesin continuing the work in Gaza. China

(33:21):
will provide emergency human terry assistance toGaza through the UN and bilateral channels.
Mister President, the Security councids theprimary responsibility to maintain international peace and security
and should play due role in resolvingthe current crisis. It is also the
common expectation of the international community forthe Council to reach consensus as soon as

(33:45):
possible and adopt real measures. Inthe past few days, Console members have
kept close communication and the powerslideustrial situation. The Job resolution proposed by Russia demonstrates
the overaid direction of the Council's focuson here minitarian concerns and the protection of
civilians, which was cosponsored by manycountries, including Arab countries such as Egypt,

(34:07):
Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar.We greatly regret the fact that the
Council failed to agree on the Struttresolution. Humanitarian issues should not be politicized.
The protection of civilians should be apriority for all parties. The Console,

(34:28):
in its past dealings with complex issuesusually would start with the humanitarian component.
The current conflict is spreading and sufferingis continuing. The Council should not
give it up give up its effortin this regard. Brazil also proposed a
draft resolution. We welcome that.We hope that all parties out of the

(34:52):
responsible and constrict instructive spirit continue toseek consensus and take more active actions to
ease the tension and avoid a humanitariandisaster, so as to demonstrate in earnest
the responsibility and mission of the SecurityCouncil and make sure that it is able
to stand the test of morality andconscious Mister President, the Chinese President cheating

(35:15):
being has highlighted on many occasions thefundamental way to resolving the Palestine question is
to establish an independent state of Palestine. History has time again proven that for
the Israel Palestine situation, the repeatedoutbreak of crisis is fundamentally due to the
fact that the basis of the twostate solution keeps being eroded. The Middle

(35:37):
East peace process has veered from theright track, and relevant resolutions haven't been
effectively implemented. When dealing with thisnew round of conflict between Palestine Israel,
the international community must go beyond thefragmented case by case crisis management model and
persevere towards the fundamental direction of thetwo state solutions and make greater efforts to

(36:00):
the comprehensive and lasting solution to thequestion. Since the outbreak of the crisis,
China has actively conducted efforts to facilitatethe east of tension, actively promote
peace talks. Our foreign Minister One. He has communicated extensively with all other
parties to elaborate on China's policy andposition. The Special Ovoid of the Chinese
Government on the Middle East will visitregional countries this week to conduct mediation work.

(36:24):
China will always stand on the sideof peace, on the side of
justice, and on the side ofinternational law. We're ready to work with
the international community to make unremitting effortsto stop the fighting Gaza at an early
day and realize peaceful coexistence of PolicyanIsrael and lasting peace and security in the
Middle East. Thank you, misterPresident. I thank the Representative of China

(36:46):
for their statement, and now givethe floor to the Representative of Gabon.
Thank you, mister President. Cabinvoted in favor of a draft resolution which
calls for a humanitarian ceasefire, adraft resolution that firmly condemns violence and hostilities

(37:10):
targeted at civilians and acts of terrorism. A draft resolution that calls for the
unconditional release of hostages. A draftresolution which calls for unfettered access for humanitarian
assistance to the civilian population that needsit. We are convinced that this is

(37:37):
an action that responds to the immeasurabledespair and an extremely serious crisis which in
the space of a few days hascaused thousands of deaths and immeasurable human distress.
This is an action which following ourfirm condemnation of the barbaric attacks against

(37:58):
Israel on the seventh of October,an action which is in lockstep with our
obligations under international humanitarian law. Weregret that the Council was not able to

(38:19):
reach consensus on the draft resolution.We must certainly show greater engagement and commitments
to find a just solution, ajust response that is in line with our

(38:40):
mandate to this humanitarian distress. Wemust show greater commitments to silence the guns
and to restore responsibility. We mustshow greater engagement to find a lasting solution
to the severity of the humanitarian situation, which is something that our Security Council
must address in order to avoid acatastrophe with irreparable consequences. Thank you,

(39:06):
I thank the representative of Gabon fortheir statement, and now give the floor
to the Representative of the United Emirates, Mister President. Long before the unjustifiable
Hamas attack on Israel on seventh October, Gaza was already one of the most
desperate places on Earth to live.All Council members have rightly condemned the indiscriminate

(39:30):
murder of innocent Israeli civilians and thetaking of one hundred and ninety nine of
them hostage, including children. Wereiterate that condemnation here, but Hamas does
not represent the Palestinian people or thepeople of Gaza, who are suffering immensely
today, and that is why Councilunity is so desperately needed on this file.

(39:55):
In January of this year, theUN Assessment of Humanitarian Needs in god
stated that one point three million peoplerequired aid for their basic survival. Half
of those were children. Almost sixtypercent of the need ranged between severe and
catastrophic. In the past decade alone, Gazans have lived through three rounds of

(40:16):
major conflict. The children of Gazahave lost hope. That nightmare was Gaza's
lot ten months before this outbreak,and today civilians in Gaza are once again
facing a ruinous war with nowhere safeto go. Gaza, one of the
most densely populated places on Earth,is besieged, with no access to fuel,

(40:39):
electricity, food, water, ormedical supplies. Two million people are
now relying on a solitary pipeline forwater, as none of the three desalination
plants can operate without power. Andagainst this terrible backdrop, the international community
must recognize that the call for theevacuation of more than one million people who

(41:01):
have nowhere safe to go and noassistance for what it is an unjustified demand,
unmetable in its nature. Therefore,there is work for this Council to
do beyond making statements. At aminimum, this Council should be able to
come together around the need to protectall civilians, the unconditional release of all

(41:23):
hostages and the safe provision of humanitarianassistance. Access to fuel, food,
water, medical aid and other basicnecessities must be fully restored. We must
create a framework for rapid, unimpededand safe humanitarian access for the brave workers
who are risking their lives today onthe ground. The call for humanitarian ceasefires

(41:45):
is essential for the realization of allof the above. The draft resolution put
forward by the Russian delegation responds tothese specific humanitarian needs. That is why
the United Arab Emirates voted in favorof it, and that is why we
are disappointed that it could not commandthe support of the Council. Today,
we thank the Presidency for their effortsand we hope that we will be able

(42:07):
to come together quickly and with onevoice on this file for those who so
desperately need it. On the ground, Mister President, we believe this Council
should be able to find unity ontwo things. International humanitarian law must be
upheld. Indiscriminate attacks must be rejectedand are unjustifiable. And the cycle of

(42:29):
violence overall must end. The eventsof the last nine days have made it
painfully clear that without a determined politicalhorizon, the specter of bloodshed will continue
to haunt both Israelis and Palestinians.Mahmud Darwish, the late Palestinian poet,
once wrote that a life only definedby the absence of its antithesis, death

(42:51):
is no life at all. Palestiniansand Israelis deserve not only to live,
which is the bare minimum, butto thrive byside in their own, independent,
prosperous and secure states. Thank you. I thank the Representative of the
United Arab Emirates for their statement,and I now give the floor to the

(43:12):
Representative of Albania. Thank you,mister President, seven October twenty twenty three
will remain a dark day, notonly for the Israelis and its people,
but for the entire world. Withits monstrous terrorist acts, Hamas has committed
the irreparable. Its appalling crimes havetraumatized Israelis. They have terribly unprofoundly hurt

(43:37):
an entire nation. They have defiedhuman conscience. They are and remain unjustifiable
and unacceptable. They do not representany nation, any religion, and they
do not support and cannot support anycause. Albania recognizes this severity and the

(43:57):
urgency of the situation on the ground. We recognize the need for the Council
to react and act in discharging itscorresponsibility in many respects, in strongly condemning
terrorism as it has always done,in recognizing the rise of states to defend
themselves as inscribed in the UN Charger, in always protecting civilians, in supporting
hunitary and efforts, in avoiding furtherexacerbation or any spillover of an already tense,

(44:22):
complex and dangerous situation, and inchartering a clear path for peace,
security, progress and dignity for allIsraelis and Palestinians. We abstained because the
texts presented failed to present the fullpicture and to incorporate core elements on substantial
issues. We remain hopeful there isroom to continue to remain actively engaged,

(44:44):
with the hope to use at bestour time and energies to come together to
respond to the many urgent and pressingneeds on the ground. This critical situation
doesn't need a competition between texts ora protagonism between member states. It require
Yer's active diplomacy by regional and internationalactress as it is happening now and here

(45:05):
in the Council, engagement by allin good faith to come together to respond
in the best possible way to allcritical imperatives and needs on the ground.
And I thank you. I thankthe Representative of Albania for their statement,
and I I'll call the Representative ofFrance micheards, mister President. The terrorist

(45:29):
attack carried out on the seventh ofOctober by Hamas is without a doubt,
the worst experienced by Israel since itscreation. The France stands in this difficult
time shouldered shoulder with Israel. Israelsecurity can must be protected and Israel has

(45:52):
the right to defend itself. Humanitarianassistance for Gaza is also essential. Protection
of civilians is is an imperative andrespect to the Geneva Convention is necessary for
everyone. The population of Gaza isalso a victim of Hamas. France voted

(46:13):
against the draft resolution presented by Russiabecause several essential elements were lacking. France
would like this Council to now uniteitself behind a draft proposed by the Brazilian
presidency and that we agree to condemnthis terrorist attack, ensure humanitarian assistance and

(46:37):
protect the civilian population of Gaza.The Security Council today, more than ever,
must shoulder its responsibilities. Thank youRepresentative of France for their statement,
and now give the floor to thepermanent observer of the observers State of Palestine,

(47:06):
mister President. Ten days. Forten days, you have been watching
Israel assaulting over two million Palestinian peoplein the Gaza Strip. People being killed,
injured, displaced, terrorized. Israelhas not spared a single Palestinian family

(47:35):
in Gaza. No one should forgetthat these are human lives, that Palestinian
lives matter too, and no oneshould entertain the illusion that killing more Palestinians
will ever make israelis more secure.Israel has besieged the Gaza strip for seventeen

(47:59):
years, has launched repeated aggressions againstour people there. Did it make it
more secure? How can it convinceanyone that's killing more Palestinians, more innocent
Palestinians, children, women, men, old and young, is the answer.

(48:23):
I came to this Council many timestelling you the Palestinian people no longer
believe help is on the way.Prove them wrong, restore hope in collective
action. You now have important decisions, to make, decisions that determine how

(48:46):
the next days will look like forthe Palestinian people, for the region and
the entire world. We implore yoube guided by the rum full of international
law, with no exception or exceptionalismallowed. Don't send the signal that the

(49:09):
Palestinian lives don't matter. Don't daresay Israel is not responsible for the bombs
it is dropping over their heads.Don't justify the killings, don't blame the
victim, and I repeat, don'tdo that. What is happening in Gaza

(49:35):
is not a military operation. Itis a full scale assault against our people.
It is massacres against innocent civilians.Nothing in natural law and international law
allows for targeting of civilians and suchindiscriminate barbaric attacks against them. Israel has

(50:00):
killed as of now, three thousandPalestinians, overwhelmingly civilians, more than half
of them are women and children.More than one thousand Palestinian children have been
killed. I repeat, more thanone thousand Palestinian children have been killed.

(50:22):
So far in this assault, Israelhas killed entire families, several generations at
a time. As of this moment, forty seven families totaling five hundred people
have been massacred. Still more maybeunder the rubble, one thousand people unaccounted

(50:47):
for. Most likely they are underthe rubble. How do you justify that
you cannot? Every day Palestinians arekilled by Israeli soldiers or settlers for years
now, and yet you always pressus to choose the peaceful path forward.

(51:09):
You ask us to show restraint.You tell us that violence is not the
answer, even as Israel continued colonizingand annexing our land and maiming and killing
our people. Why then, whythen, when Israelis are killed, you

(51:30):
would you, when Israelis are killed, would anyone condone unhinged violence being unleashed
against our people. Double standard?Why would this council be unable to call

(51:52):
for a ceasefire now to stop theassault and the massacres. Stopping the killing
and destruction is in this indispensable.The humanitarian and health system in Gaza has
collapsed. Over one million people havebeen displaced. People cannot even bury their

(52:15):
loved ones and mourn them. Liftingthe siege and ensuring immediate and unhindered humanitarian
access are equally urgent to save lives. I told disconsiled months ago. Regardless
how hard taking the necessary decisions mayseem now, the consequences of not taking

(52:39):
them are infinitely higher. We areat that moment. Taking these decisions then
would have saved many lives. Nowfurther delay will only condemn more people to
certain death. You know what isworthy of your unconditional support. It is

(53:05):
the rule of international law and humanrights, justice and peace. So no
Palestinians and no Israelis are killed anymore. I repeat, So, no Palestinians
and no Israelis are killed anymore.So our people can finally live in freedom

(53:28):
and dignity in their ancestral land andtwo states Palestine and Israel can live side
by side in peace and security,in line with your resolutions and international law.

(53:52):
We stood in the midst of thestorm and stated, no civilian civilians
should be killed. International law hasto be upheld. At the same time,
Israeli's officials were speaking of mighty vengeance. Don't you think Palestinians have much

(54:14):
to avenge, including the two pointthree million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip whose
lives are being shattered once again aswe speak. This logic will destroy us
all. It should not be tolerated. It is not enough to state that

(54:35):
you disagree with it. You needto actually stop it. Israeli officials said,
justifying their assault on our people inGaza, that they were fighting human
animals quote unquote, What would havebeen your reaction if any Palestinian official had

(54:57):
done the same? They said theywould cut water, electricity, fuel and
food for millions of Palestinians and didso in an inhumane and unlawful collective punishment
as bombs were destroying every remaining aspectof life in the Gaza Strip. Mister

(55:22):
President, Three things must be donenow. Anything else would be legally,
morally and politically unacceptable. One stopassault on our people. Now two,
allow immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access throughoutthe Gaza strip. Now three, stop

(55:47):
the forced transfer of our people.Now civilians should be protected wherever they are.
Israel has no righte to force themto choose between forced displacement or death,
or subject them to both. NoErran knowwhere is safe in Gaza.

(56:15):
Families embrace every night, not knowingif it is for the last time.
You have the staggering numbers of thosethat were killed. I wish you could
take a look at their lives,how they pursued it with courage and creative

(56:37):
creativity, despite monumental hardships, ablockade and repeated assaults, only to see
it taken away in an instant.Think of the pain of those who survive.
Think of how the rest of theirlives will look like, including the

(56:58):
over ten thousand than wounded so far, if they survive this nightmare. In
the next hour, Israel will killtwelve Palestinian civilians, including five children,
and then the next, and thenext, and the next, until you

(57:19):
decide to act. It is importantto recognize the need to protect civilians and
to respect international law. It isfar more important to actually provide such protection
and uphold the law. Nothing canjustify the killing of civilians, said all
of you repeatedly a few days ago, regardless of the legitimate aspirations of the

(57:46):
Palestinian people, their legitimate grievances,the pain and suffering they endured and continue
to endure, regardless of the dispositionoccupy, colonization, blockade, killing,
mass imprisonment, they cannot resort toviolence to free their land or protect their

(58:10):
people. Then, by the samelogic, nothing can justify the killing of
Palestinian civilians. Discrimination and double standardsare not only unjust, they undermine the
rule of international law everywhere. Thinkof your credibility the day after, think

(58:35):
of deepening divide between the West andthe Arab and Muslim world, between North
and South, between communities. Ourconflict is a political one, not a
religious one. That is what makesit solvable. But it has an impact
given its significance regionally and internationally,coexistence and peace across the world. If

(59:02):
you do not want a regional spellover, an international spellover, stop the
massacres, start there, start now. We are grateful for the efforts of
all those who are mobilizing to stopthe carnage, to allow humanitarian access and

(59:23):
to put an end to the forcetransfer. We will continue working with them.
Every minute counts, and the Palestinianpeople in Gaza have no time to
lose, say the race, misterPresident. In conclusion, to the Palestinian

(59:47):
people, I say, it mightseem that the world has abandoned you,
has abandoned your children, that you'releft alone at the hands of the unjust
occupation that wishes to ensure that yourcause fades into obscurity. But I assure

(01:00:08):
you that the free people around theworld, and there are millions the peoples
of conscience, are with you.They hear you, they see you,
They support you. They fill thestreets of the capitals of the world.
They're rejecting israedy crimes against you.They're supporting your freedom, your dignity,

(01:00:34):
your just cause. Know that justiceand peace are coming. There is no
doubt about that. This radio occupation, regardless of how much it kills and
destroys and oppresses, it will endthe state of Palestine, with East Jerusalem

(01:00:57):
as its capital will be established.We will not fade away, We will
not waiver. We will not fadeaway, We will not waiver. We
will heal our wounds. We willrestore our hope, we will remain,
We will survive because right is onour side, and those who have right

(01:01:22):
on their sides do not die,do not fade away, they are reborn,
They stay. I thank you,mister President. I thank the Permanent
Observer of the Observer State of Palestinefor his statement, and now give the
floor to the representative of Israel.Thank you, mister President. I will

(01:01:44):
begin by saying that if Hamas doesnot represent the Palestinian people, as President
Abbas stated just yesterday, it ispuzzling that his representative is present in this
meeting, let alone voicing an opinionon behalf of the people in Gaza that

(01:02:06):
elected the Isis Like Hamas' murderers inGaza seventeen years ago. I hope we
all here understand that should any representativeof the Palestinian authority choose to enter Gaza
today or in any other day,they would probably meet the same fate that

(01:02:27):
many of their colleagues met in twothousand and seven, being throne off fifteen
story buildings by Hamas distinguished Council members. The Security Council is facing one of
the most pivotal moments in its history. This is a turning point for the
Council, a moment of truth whichwill tell humanity whether this Council's very existence

(01:02:52):
holds legitimacy, whether the UN retainsa sembleness of a moral compass. This
institution was founded upon the ashes ofthe Holocaust, the genocide of the Jewish
people, and just over a weekago we witnessed yet another attempt at Jewish

(01:03:14):
genocide, the Nazi Ramas massacre ofbabies, mothers, fathers, and the
elderly. Every Council member should understandthat Ramas is driven by an ideology no
different than the Nazis. In theiroriginal charter, they make this message very

(01:03:34):
clear and I quote, Israel willexist and will continue to exist until Islam
will obliterate it, just as itobliterated others before it. Article seven says
the day of judgment will not comeabout until Muslims fight Jews and kill them.
Read it for yourself. It isHitler's mind. Comp on steroid reads

(01:04:00):
Ramas's very name, which stands forHarakat el Mukawama el Islamia means the Islamic
Resistance movement. This is not apolitical organization. This is a terror organization
no different than Isis or Al Qaida. Hamas doesn't seek to liberate. We

(01:04:24):
withdrew from Gaza eighteen years ago.Hamas seeks to exterminate. This is their
purpose and stated goal. And afterthe horrors that we suffered over a week
ago, we must all understand thatthese are not empty threats. This is
an action plan, and if Hamashas the opportunity to commit these atrocities again,

(01:04:49):
they will. Hamas will not stopuntil Israel is obliterated. This is
why their colleagues. For the safetyof our our people and the security of
our future, Israel must obliterate Hamasfirst. We must do so not for

(01:05:09):
revenge, not for retaliation. Wemust do so for self preservation. Such
atrocities can never be committed again,and the only way to ensure this is
by eliminating this barbaric terror group's capabilities. Over fourteen hundred Israelis were butchered,

(01:05:30):
thousands were injured. Nearly two hundredhostages were taken to Gaza to be tortured,
raped, and defiled, among themdozens of different nationalities. Proportionally proportionally,
this atrocity is fifteen times bigger thannine eleven, but America's enemies were

(01:05:53):
seven thousand miles away, while Israel'sare seven thousand feet away. Resident For
the past sixteen years, the internationalcommunity and the YUN have been complacent to
Ramas's terrorists build up. The worldhas kept his head in the sand.

(01:06:16):
As Ramas embedded its missiles and rocketsand war machine within and under the civilian
population of Gaza. It accepted anabsurd reality that a law abiding democracy could
live side by side with cancerous,genocidal terrorists thirty thirsty for Israeli blood,

(01:06:39):
that fires tens of thousands of missileand rockets indiscriminately at our civilians future generations.
We look back in disbelief that theworld could be so naive only eighty
years after Hitler. But this isno longer the case. We have seen

(01:07:00):
with our own eyes that nothing willchange Ramas's ideology. Nothing, not the
rehabilitation of Gaza, not economic incentives, not any promise of a brighter future.
The UN tried, the US tried, Many of you tried, but
everyone failed. Nothing can change agenocidal ideology. Nothing. There is only

(01:07:28):
one solution to curing a cancer,and it is the evisceration of every cancerous
cell. The international community has pouredbillions of dollars into Gaza, and it
all went to Ramas's war machine andits subterranean city of terror. Abundant resources

(01:07:50):
and aid destined for the people ofGaza were squandered by these barbaric terror monsters.
Every inch of the Gaza strip hasbeen exploited for Hamas's violent goals.
To Hamas, guzzens, civilians arenothing more than cannon fodder, human shields
who in death become ponds for Hamas'slibel's propaganda campaign. They are threatening right

(01:08:15):
now as we speak here. Theyare threatening gousens not to evacuate south by
the way as we evacuated our civiliansnear our southern border, and then use
their bodies to recruit countries to pressureIsrael. So let me be clear.
Israel is on a rescue mission,a rescue mission to save our hostages,

(01:08:41):
a rescue mission to save our futureand to save the people of Gaza from
their savage tyrants, a rescue mission. This rescue mission can end quickly should
Hamas put down their arms tomorrow,return our hostages and turn themselves in.

(01:09:03):
This war can end without one moreshot being fired. Why are you not
calling on Hamas to do this.Why isn't this part of the resolutions?
Distinguished Council members, I will reiterate, the Security Council now stands at one
of its most pivotal crossroads. Willthe Council support the fight for civilization or

(01:09:29):
will it incentivize the genocidal jihadists whoaim to murder all the infidels. For
a body dedicated to security, thisshouldn't even be a question. The first
step this Council must take before anycalls for aid, before any calls for
aid come or restraint, is todesignate HAMAS as the murderous terror organization that

(01:09:55):
it is, just as the Councildid with ISIS and al Qaeda. Secondly,
and no less important, this Councilmust support Israel's right to defend itself.
But supporting this right doesn't mean echoingempty words. It means standing in
solidarity with Israel in our rescue missionto obliterate Hamas's THEO capabilities. If Hamas

(01:10:20):
is not obliterated, such atrocities willbe repeated, and not only in Israel.
Supporting Israel's right to defend itself meanssupporting Israel's goal of eradicating these cancerous
jihadist. Israel, dear colleagues,is a law abiding country that upholds international

(01:10:45):
law. We are facing, asyou all know, a genocidal terror group
that doesn't even recognize the existence ofinternational law. It must be remembered by
the Council. So how can itbe that the focus of the Security Council
is not and I elaborate number oneto designate Haramas as a terror organization.

(01:11:14):
Number two to hold Haramas fully andsolely accountable for the situation in Gaza,
number three to fully support Israel's rightto defend itself. And number four to
immediately and unconditionally demand from Ramas torelease all the abducted hostages. I urge

(01:11:34):
you all to think about these objectivesand that they all be addressed in any
future discussions. Israel will not accepthaving our hands her hands tied until we
are while we are fighting for oursecurity and for our children's future. Thank

(01:11:57):
you, mister President. I thankthe representative of Israel for their statement,
and now give the floor to theRepresentative of Jordan. Say that, mister
President. At the outset, Icongratulate you on Brazil's assumption of the presidency
of the Security Council for this monthand we wish you every success. I

(01:12:20):
am honored to make the statement onbehalf of the Air Group, Mister President.
The Security Council today is meeting asthe Israeli brutal war continues again as
the Gaza Strip, bringing death anddestruction and threatening the explosion of wider cycles

(01:12:41):
of violence in the entire region.The Arab Reagion here stresses the need to
work to immediately stop this war andto prevent its expansion so that we can
end the exacerbation of the humanitarian catastrophein the Gaza Strip. The group stresses

(01:13:01):
that the failure by the international communityto end this war is a failure in
the application of international law and inthe protection of common humanitarian values and the
protection of innocent civilians that face thehell of war they cannot find the simplest
necessities of life shelter, food,drinking water, electricity and health care.

(01:13:26):
We stress that the international silence againstwhat the Gaza Strip is facing, the
killing and the war, is asilence with a v an aggression, an
aggression that dehumanizes, dehumanizes the Gasmsand prevents them from the right to protection,
and it is a silence vis athe Israeli violation of international law,

(01:13:49):
and we stress that Israel's prevention ofthe delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and
forcing more than a million citizens toleave their homes is a great violation of
violation of international law in IHL.Here we stress the need to deliver such
assistance immediately without delay. Here wecommend the unprecedented effort and role of on

(01:14:18):
RUA in assisting civilians in the Gaza. Strip we stress the need for the
international community to provide HONRO with theimmediate support in light of the lack of

(01:14:38):
funding for HONU, so that itwould be able to implement its mandate and
its obligation according to the UN Mandata. Mister President, the Arab Group stresses
that any attempt for force displacement ofour brothers and sisters, the Palestinians from
their homeland or to written such adisplacement to Egypt and other neighboring countries,

(01:15:03):
is a rejected and condemned the crime, and it is a great violation of
the Fourth Geneva Convention of nineteen fortynine. Here was stressed the need to
implement the rules of international law andIHL and ethical standards without distinction, and
this should not be based on nationalityor identity. The international community must address

(01:15:29):
the war against Gaza using the sameset of standards, condemning the killing of
civilian Palestinians as it did with Israelicivilians. They are victims, those civilians,
regardless of their identity or nationality.Mister President, we recall here that

(01:15:53):
what Israel is doing is not aright to defend itself. It is unfortunate
that a number of countries keep repeatingthat Israel has the right to defend itself
in the Gaza Strip. The GazaStrip is an occupied territory. Here will

(01:16:18):
recall the Advisory Opinion of the ICGon the question of the Separation Wall of
the two thousand and four particularly paragraphone point thirty nine of this opinion,
according to which Israel does not havethe right to defend itself within occupied Palestinian

(01:16:42):
territory. The provisions of HL areapplicable here pertaining to military response to armed
attacks in occupied territories. The occupyingpower needs to respect the principles of distinction

(01:17:04):
between military and civilian objects, andit should not launch attacks against civilians and
civilian objects as is happening, andthere should be proportionality in response. It
should take precautionary measures to protect civilians. Through following up the developments of the

(01:17:28):
situation, it is clear that Israel'smilitary actions in Gasm do not respect the
bare minimum stipulated by the international humanitarianlaw. It is not even claiming to
be doing so, as you haveheard a while ago, and the statements
by its senior military and political officialsmean that everything it has been committing and

(01:17:55):
we've commit will go beyond all ethical, moral, legal and humanitarian standards against
defenseless people, and the international communityis not heeding the calls. The Arab
Group reaffirms that the comprehensive and justpeace, in accordance with the resolutions of

(01:18:16):
international legitimacy and the Arab Peace Initiative, is a strategic Arab choice and is
the only means to protect the entireregion from the cycle of violence. Enclosing,
we stress that Israel will not attainpeace and security if security and freedom
is not provided for the Palestinian peoplein their independent state with the occupied Jerusalem

(01:18:40):
as its capital on the borders ofthe fourth of June. I thank you,
I thank the representative of Jordan fortheir statement. There are no more
names inscribed on the list of speakers. The show has been produced by Depictions

(01:19:30):
Media. Please contact us at depictionsdot media for more information.