UNSC meeting on Middle East (Including the Palestinian question)

[June 24, 2021]

INDIA STATEMENT

By

 H.E. Mr. Vikas Swarup

Secretary (West)

Thank you, Mr. President.  I also thank Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland for his briefing.

2. The recent developments in Palestine are of concern.  After a period of brief calm, tensions are rising again in Gaza. The launch of incendiary balloons from Gaza targeting civilians in Israel and the retaliatory strikes into Gaza threaten to restart the cycle of violence, which caused immense suffering and resulted in deaths recently. We urge all parties to honour the ceasefire arrangement to ensure that the situation does not spiral out of control.

3. The situation in West Bank continues to remain volatile. We are concerned at the potential for renewed violence in East Jerusalem and other parts of West Bank over the legal process that could lead to possible evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem. Incitement and inflammatory rhetoric, as witnessed during the recent escalation, only drives and fuels violence.

4. We urge all parties to deescalate the situation, refrain from acts of provocation, intimidation and incitement that exacerbates tensions. Any attempt to unilaterally change the status-quo that undercut efforts to advance a negotiated two-state solution should also be avoided.

Mr. President,

5. Attention of the international community should not be diverted from the immediate needs of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population, particularly in Gaza. Such assistance should reach the Palestinian people through verified channels. We call for reinforced cooperation between the Israeli and Palestinian authorities in the area of humanitarian aid delivery, including food and medicine, and movement of patients in and out of Gaza. We welcome the role played by the UN agencies in facilitating delivery of such aid, UNRWA in particular.

6. Rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gaza should also be prioritized. We recognize the centrality of the Palestinian Authority for delivery of international assistance to the Palestinian people. We encourage all Palestinian parties to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure the well-being of the people of Palestine. We take note of the postponement of the reconciliation meeting of all Palestinian parties that had been facilitated by Egypt and hope that the parties overcome the current stalemate. We believe that intra-Palestinian unity is critical for achieving a peaceful settlement of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Mr. President,

7. The peace process can no longer be kept on the back burner. The continuation of the impasse only exacerbates the trust deficit between the parties and increases the chances of cycle of violence to recur. I again underscore the need for immediate resumption of the Middle East Peace Process and direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine. India supports all diplomatic efforts, including by the Quartet, which are aimed at strengthening the collective commitment of the international community to resume these negotiations and facilitate the peace process.

8. Let me conclude by reaffirming India’s unwavering commitment to the establishment of an independent, viable, democratic State of Palestine. There is no alternative to a two-state solution for ensuring meaningful and enduring peace.

I thank you Madam President.