Statement Delivered by

Ms Farzana Zahir, Deputy Permanent Representative

at the UNSC Open Debate on the

Situation in the Middle East, including the Question of Palestine

20 April 2017

 

Madam President,

My delegation wishes to thank the United States of America 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.

Madam President,

Following the adoption of Resolution 2334 (2016), a significant and welcomed step forward in the Security Council to address the predicament of Palestinian people, it is with great concern my delegation joins this timely debate. While resolution 2334 calls on Israel to take steps to cease all settlement activities in the occupied territory of Palestine, the Occupying Power, Israel, continues to blatantly violate international law, including by disregarding the Resolutions of this very Council, through the continued expansion of its illegal settlements as well as large-scale demolitions of structures in the occupied territory of Palestine. By doing so Israel is flagrantly hindering the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, further undermining any credible solution towards peace. The Maldives strongly condemns the recent decision by the Occupying Power, Israeli to create a new settlement in Geulat Zion. This development is extremely worrying, which threaten peace and may exacerbate tensions on the ground. The Government of Maldives calls the Occupying Power, Israeli, to respect its international obligations in particular to the United Nations Security Council resolution 2334.

Madam President,

The Maldives also welcomes the recent report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of resolution 2334, delivered orally to this Council by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr Mladenov, and support the calls for a substantive written report in support of the Council's duties to advance the resolution's objectives. We believe it is critical to build on the momentum generated by this resolution, and take further concrete measures to bring an end to the Israeli occupation, and ascertain a peaceful and sustainable resolution to this conflict, which has continuously overshadowed peace and security in the region

Madam President,

The Syrian conflict, the deadliest conflict the 21st century has witnessed thus far, has now entered its 7th year. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed, millions have fled, hospitals and basic infrastructure have been annihilated, and cities have been destroyed, along with cultural heritage. Yet, the suffering of the Syrian people does not seem to be coming to an end. We call on the international community as well as the members of the Security Council to progress the implementation of the Security Council resolutions on issues relating to the Middle East and to address it in a concrete manner to maintain the credibility of this Council.

Madam President,

The Maldives would like to reiterate its call for a two state solution recognizing the sovereign and independent State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.The peace in the Middle East can only be achieved through political will, international cooperation, tangible actions and a united Security Council. The Maldives stands ready to support the collective efforts of the international community in securing a more peaceful future for the Middle East and to maintain international peace and order. The right to life in peace is as much a right for each and every one in these conflicts, as it is for each one of us here.