United Nations Security Council Open Debate on the Situation of Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
Statement by:
H.E Mr. Ahmed Sareer
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives
to the United Nations
New York, 23 July 2015
Madam President,
My delegation wishes to thank New Zealand in its capacity as President of the Security Council, for convening this quarterly open debate in connection with the agenda item on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. I would also like to extend our appreciation to the Secretary General for his briefing and his dedicated efforts towards a solution on the conflicts in the Middle East.
Madam President,
Peace will never be achieved through violence and bloodshed. This July marks one year since the most recent round of escalated conflict between Palestine and Israel, and the launch of the Israeli military operation in Gaza, which was the worst escalation of hostilities since 1967. Gaza remains a city in ruins and the conflict unresolved. And with the breakdown of talks since 2014, lasting peace remains a distant dream.
While hope is dim, we reiterate our call for a two state solution; which arrays to be the one and only viable solution to endure peace in the region. The Maldives thus, reiterates its call for the full realisation of the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people: the right of Palestinian people to establish their own State, alongside Israel, on the basis of the Two-State solution, on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We also call on the Security Council to reinvigorate its efforts in finding new ways of moving forward.
Mr President,
The human cost of the conflict in Syria weighs down heavily on all of us, and compels us to exhaust all our options in finding solutions. A political solution must be sought to end the bloodshed in line with the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people. We would like to underscore the importance of achieving an inclusive political solution in Syria based on the Geneva talks. As such, we call the United Nations membership to actively contribute ideas to the body in the hope of finding an avenue to peace.
The Maldives remains deeply concerned over the impact of the situation in Yemen on the stability of the entire region Similarly, we must ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches the more than 80% of the population of Yemen that is now in need of aid. Peace must win in Yemen.
The Maldives condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and believes that terrorism should not be associated with any religion, race, culture or society. Islam promotes peace and the protection and preservation of life and unity. Islam also condemns violence and the Maldives does not condone the use of veil of religion as a pretext for inflicting terror and it is not a means to a political end.
Madam President
While we see several incidences of violence in the region, we are heartened to see progress as well. In this regard, the Maldives welcomes the historic framework agreement reached in Lausanne on 2 April between Iran and the P5+1, which represents an opportunity to resolve more than the nuclear issue alone. Here is a clear example of how political will, and continuous effort can help reach solutions.
Madam President
We need leadership. We need political will. But above all, we need courage: courage from the leaders of the region: courage from the leaders of members of this council: as well as the international community: the courage to do the right thing, to take the right step forward towards lasting peace in the Middle East.
Thank you
