UNSC monthly meeting on the Question of Palestine

(February 23, 2022; 1000 hrs)

Statement by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

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

Mr. President,

2. While India welcomes the recent high-level interactions between Israeli and Palestinian authorities, at the same time, we remain deeply concerned about the recent developments on the ground, in particular the violent attacks and killing of civilians. We have consistently advocated against all acts of violence. And we urge all sides to take immediate steps for complete cessation of violence.

3. We are closely following the developments in Sheikh Jarrah, where tensions have risen once again over the potential legal eviction of some of the Palestinian families. Recent provocative actions and statements from both sides, which can quickly reverse the gains made so far, must stop. We appeal for calm to be maintained in Sheikh Jarrah and encourage parties to exercise restraint.

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, to refrain from provocative acts of incitement and inflammatory rhetoric and stresses that all settlement activities must cease. Any action that unduly alters the status-quo on the ground and undercuts the viability of the two-State solution must be eschewed in the larger interests of securing peace and stability.

5. Parties must instead focus on addressing the urgent security and economic challenges, including the precarious financial situation of the Palestinian Authority, and chart a concrete path for discussing key political issues. We reiterate the need for an early resumption of the political course by launching credible negotiations on all final status issues.

6. 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 such direct talks on key political issues has asymmetric costs for both Israelis and Palestinians and does not augur well for long-term peace. We call upon the UN and international community, the Middle East Quartet, in particular, to prioritize the revival of these negotiations.

Mr. President,

7. Let me conclude by reiterating India’s firm and unwavering commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Palestine question. 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. India has always 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, taking into consideration the legitimate security concerns of Israel.

8. India has been supportive of international efforts towards achieving a comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict and stands ready to contribute constructively to future efforts.

I thank you.

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