UNSC Open Debate on the Question of Palestine

(January 19, 2022; 1000 hrs)

Statement by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

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Thank you, Madam President.

I thank today’s briefers - UN Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland, Gidon Bromberg and Nada Majdalani from EcoPeace - for their comments. I also welcome the representatives of Israel and Palestine to this meeting.

2. Let me, at the outset, reiterate India’s firm and unwavering commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Palestine issue. India has supported a negotiated two-state solution leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders, side by side at peace with Israel. India’s developmental partnership with the Palestine Authority in its nation-building efforts and our financial assistance to UNRWA is a reflection of the same.

3. I would focus on two key issues today – the urgent necessity for reversing the negative trends on the ground and the need for a roadmap for the resumption of direct political negotiations.

4. Resolution 2334 was adopted by this Council to reaffirm the international community’s firm commitment to preventing the erosion of the two-State solution. It calls upon parties to prevent all acts of violence against civilians, stresses that all settlement activities must cease, and underscores the need to exert collective efforts to launch credible negotiations on all final status issues. We remain deeply concerned by recent developments in the West Bank, Jerusalem and Gaza. Violent attacks on civilians have increased in recent weeks. Acts of destruction and provocation are continuing. New settlement units have been announced.

5. We call upon the parties to immediately make concrete efforts to reverse these actions. Such unilateral measures unduly alter the status-quo on the ground, undercut the viability of the two-state solution and pose serious challenges to the resumption of peace talks. They must be eschewed.

6. The international community must also send a strong signal against any step that would prevent the possibility of durable peace between Israel and Palestine in the near future. It is extremely important to prevent actions that undermine confidence-building measures. The parties must focus on constructive measures.

7. In this regard, we are encouraged by direct contacts between the Israeli and Palestinian leadership. The recent meeting between Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas and Israeli Defence Minister Gantz and the subsequent Israeli announcement to continue the advancement of socio-economic measures, along with those determined in their previous meeting, such as the advancing of the transfer of tax payments, status approvals, etc., are welcome developments. Such initiatives, which are in the interest of both parties, help maintain stability and discourage possible recurrence of terror and violence.

8. Full and immediate implementation of these measures and continued high-level interactions must be accompanied by a clear roadmap for early resumption of direct negotiations on all final status issues, which, we believe, is the best path towards achieving the goal of a two-state solution. India has consistently called for direct peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine based on the internationally agreed framework, taking into account legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for Statehood and Israel’s legitimate security concerns. The absence of these direct talks on key political issues has asymmetrical costs for both Israelis and Palestinians and does not augur well for long-term peace in the region. We call upon the UN and international community, the Middle East Quartet in particular, to prioritize the revival of these negotiations.

9. As a friend of Israel and Palestine, India will continue to support all efforts towards achieving a comprehensive and lasting two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and stands ready to contribute constructively to such efforts.

Madam President,

10. Before I conclude, let me also express my strong condemnation of the recent terror attack in Abu Dhabi, in which two Indians have tragically lost their lives. Such an attack on innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure is completely unacceptable. It is a blatant violation of international law and is also against all civilized norms. India stands in solidarity with UAE and extends its full support for an unequivocal condemnation of this terrorist attack by the Council. It is important that the Council stands united in sending a clear signal against such heinous acts of terror.

I thank you.

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