Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent
Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on
the Middle East.
"We welcome this opportunity to discuss the evolving situation in
the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
First, I'll address recent developments in Gaza.
This week saw more bloodshed return to the Gaza strip.
It is appalling that hundreds of Palestinians have been killed
following Israeli strikes since 18 March.
We strongly oppose Israel's resumption of hostilities.
Escalation and endless violence is in nobody's interests.
We are outraged that a UN compound in Gaza was hit on Wednesday
morning.
Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
There must be a full investigation into what happened.
We urge all parties to return to dialogue and to implement the
ceasefire agreement in full.
This must include the return of the 59 hostages who have been
cruelly held by Hamas for over 500 days.
As we said in the Council yesterday, Hamas must be held
accountable for their depraved actions.
We also call on Israel to immediately restore humanitarian access
and electricity to Gaza.
Refusing to do so risks breaching international humanitarian
law.
Second, President, we must look to the future and redouble our
efforts to secure long-term peace for Israelis and
Palestinians.
This means a credible plan to allow Palestinians in Gaza to
return home and rebuild their lives, with Hamas removed from
power.
To be clear, we oppose any attempt to forcibly annex land in
Gaza.
We welcome the Arab initiative of a recovery and reconstruction
plan for Gaza and we urge all parties to engage constructively
with it.
Sustainable peace also means addressing worrying developments in
the West Bank.
We are seriously concerned by the scale of the Israeli miliary
operation in the West Bank and the displacement of nearly 40,000
Palestinian refugees.
We recognise Israel's right to self defence, but civilians must
be protected, and Israel must ensure its operations are
proportionate to the threat posed.
Israel must halt settlements which are illegal and undermine the
viability of a Palestinian state and the security of both
Israelis and Palestinians.
Violent settlers must be held to account.
The UK has introduced three rounds of sanctions on violent
settlers and their supporters to bring accountability for abuses
of human rights, in the absence of sufficient Israeli
action.
We will consider all further options.
Reports of the killing of Palestinian civilians in the West Bank,
including children, are abhorrent.
The IDF must take all precautions to prevent civilian deaths, and
must investigate civilian deaths thoroughly and demonstrate full
accountability to the law.
The level of restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West
Bank are crippling.
These only fuel further instability.
It is important, especially during the month of Ramadan, that
religious freedoms are respected.
Restrictive visa and registration processes are also deeply
concerning.
Israel must ensure the UN, including UNRWA, can provide essential
humanitarian and service delivery in a safe and secure
environment.
President, seventeen months on from the dreadful attacks of 7
October, we urge all parties to implement the ceasefire agreement
in full and to work towards a two-state solution with a safe and
secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian
State.
This is the best way to deliver a peaceful future for Israelis
and Palestinians alike."
