18.02.2026 Statement for Briefing on MEPP

Checked Against Delivery

Thank you, Mr. President,

And let me also thank Undersecretary DiCarlo for her briefing and Ms. Hiba Qasas and Mr. Nadav Tamir for their important statements that give reasons for hope.

Mr. President,

We meet today three months after the adoption of resolution 2803 which endorsed President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza. That plan offered long-awaited hope to civilians in Gaza who have suffered for far too long. It has helped to halt outright famine, reunite hostages with their families, and reopen the Rafah border crossing for medical evacuations.

In short, it restored the prospect of peace.

Now the challenge is to turn that prospect into reality. To create a comprehensive and lasting peace. A peace where Palestinians and Israelis live side by side in peaceful coexistence and security.

For such peace to take place the following developments are important.

First, the territorial integrity of a future Palestinian state must be preserved. Denmark condemns the recent decision by the Israeli Security Cabinet to expand Israeli control in the West Bank. This decision will harm efforts to advance peace and stability for Israelis and Palestinians alike. It clearly also undermines the viability of the two-state solution. Any attempt at annexation runs counter to Israel’s obligations under international law and must be prevented.

Denmark calls on Israel to reverse this decision and to immediately halt and reverse the continued expansion of settlements, the legalization of outposts, the seizure of Palestinian land, and the implementation of the E1 plan. These actions not only deprive Palestinians of their land, they are rendering the creation of a contiguous and viable Palestinian state virtually impossible.

Second, the ceasefire in Gaza must be fully respected by all parties, and resolution 2803 fully implemented, including regarding humanitarian aid. Despite recent improvements, humanitarian needs in Gaza remain immense and urgent while too much life-saving aid continues to be prevented from entering.

Denmark calls on Israel to fully lift all restrictions on humanitarian aid. This includes shelter, medicine, food, equipment for rubble removal, items considered dual-use, and ensuring that children can return to school. We urge Israel to allow greater freedom of movement for people through the Rafah crossing and the reopening of additional crossings, including the Allenby crossing to Jordan.

The UN-led humanitarian system, including UNRWA, working hand in hand with international NGOs, remains best placed to carry out the monumental task of delivering humanitarian aid at scale. We therefore call on Israel to reverse its decision to deregister international NGOs.

We reiterate our deep concern regarding Israeli legislation, prohibiting and de facto preventing any UNRWA presence within Israel and in Jerusalem. Including by demolishing the UNRWA headquarters. We urge the Government of Israel to abide by its international obligations to ensure the protection and inviolability of United Nations premises.

Third,

Denmark is committed to achieving tangible progress on the peace plan including the reconstruction of Gaza and underline the need for Palestinian self-determination.

We reiterate our call on Hamas and other armed groups to give up their arms. Terrorist organizations must be disarmed and cannot play any role in Gaza’s future governance.

Madam President,

The ceasefire in Gaza was hard-won. It must be preserved. But we must not forget the West Bank. Both are inseparable, indispensable parts of this whole. Of a future Palestinian state. Of a future that offers security for Israelis and dignity, self-determination, and hope for Palestinians.

I Thank you.