Today's Edition
NEW YORK CITY (ALETIHAD)
His Excellency Mohamed Abushahab, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the UAE to the United Nations in New York, delivered the UAE statement at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting regarding the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question, emphasising the need for implementing the two-state solution.
The address commenced with the UAE extending “sincere condolences on behalf of the United Arab Emirates to the government and people of Kuwait on the passing of the late Emir, His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.”
The late Emir was lauded as “a true leader, a tireless advocate for peace in the region who championed humanitarian causes around the world”.
Abushahab highlighted that the past year was “the deadliest year in the Occupied Palestinian Territory”. He stressed that this should act as a wake-up call, adding that “the current status quo cannot be allowed to continue”.
He described the dire situation at the Rafah Crossing, where Security Council Members witnessed “a humanitarian system at its breaking point”.
The ambassador highlighted the stark contrast between the abundant aid waiting at the border and the extreme deprivation within Gaza, where “2.2 million people remain trapped with 9 out of every 10 spending entire days without food”.
The UAE emphasised the need for access, urging Israel to “stop blocking the entry of aid, and allow life-saving aid into the Gaza Strip”.
The statement supported the resolution demanding the use of all land, sea, and air routes for aid delivery, acknowledging the partial opening of the Karam Abu Salam border crossing but calling for its full operation, including commercial cargo.
Safety concerns were highlighted, with a call for “urgent and extended pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza strip” to protect aid workers and civilians. The importance of monitoring and verification for implementing these measures was also underscored.
A “humanitarian ceasefire” was termed a fundamental necessity to end the suffering in Gaza. The statement also drew attention to the situation in the West Bank, less than 100 kilometres from Gaza, where violence and fear have escalated.
The ambassador noted: “Since October 7, the number of people killed in the West Bank has increased; 278 Palestinians, including 70 children have lost their lives.” This figure represents more than half of the total casualties since the beginning of the year, in a period already marked by unprecedented violence, the Ambassador added.
The UAE expressed deep concern over the rising level of settler violence, with “344 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians in the past two months”.
Such acts were deemed unacceptable, needing immediate cessation.
The statement also expressed concern about the reported approval by Israel of a new illegal settlement in East Jerusalem, including 1,700 units. This move was rejected and condemned as a “grave violation of resolution 2334”.
The UAE reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution, stating that the international community’s commitment to this approach is a “responsibility we must all bear and a call to action we must all heed”.
The statement concluded with an emphasis on the necessity for “a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution” to the Palestinian question, describing it as a matter of priority.
