20.01.2025 Statement by Denmark at the Security Council Open Debate on the Middle East
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Thank you, Mr. President,
And thank you to Algeria for calling for this important and very timely meeting.
Excellencies. Colleagues.
The Middle East stands at a crossroads, undergoing profound transformation that will reshape its future for years to come.
After endless months of brutal war, we now have a long-awaited ceasefire and hostage agreement between Israel and Hamas.
Hostages, who have languished in Hamas’ captivity for over 15 gruelling months, will finally return to their families. And we were relieved that the first three female hostages were freed last night. The Israeli people can slowly begin to heal the deep scars of Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th.
At the same time, after more than 15 months of unimaginable suffering in Gaza, the ceasefire should pave the way for an immediate scale-up of humanitarian operations. So that basic lifesaving aid reaches the civilian population. So that infrastructure is rehabilitated and materials for basic shelters are provided to the many displaced people, who lost their homes during the war.
A ceasefire that will finally silence the guns.
A ceasefire that, we hope, will lead to durable and lasting peace and lay the foundation for the steps towards a two-state solution.
We thank the United States, Egypt and Qatar for their tireless efforts in negotiating this deal.
Mr. President,
Elsewhere in the region, we have witnessed the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. We have welcomed a ceasefire in Lebanon. We have congratulated Lebanon on the election of a new president and the designation of a new Prime Minister.
These developments give cause for cautious hope.
This was the impression of Danish Foreign Minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, when he last week visited Israel, the occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan and Lebanon. In his talks with the region’s leaders, he felt a cautious optimism that positive shifts are happening.
Put simply, these changes offer a rare opportunity. An opportunity to lay the foundations for a just peace and a stable region. A peace that this region has been yearning for decades and so strongly deserves.
Excellencies, colleagues, this is no time to hesitate. We must take full and immediate advantage of the ceasefire and dramatically scale up humanitarian assistance and support the resumption of basic services across Gaza.
All parties must ensure that aid is allowed to move into and within Gaza, freely.
UNRWA continues to play a crucial role in this regard. There is no alternative to this UN agency on which other humanitarian organisations rely for its infrastructure, staff, common services as well as last mile support. UNRWA must be allowed to operate its full mandate in all areas.
International law and core humanitarian principles make it perfectly clear.
As an occupying power, Israel has an obligation to ensure Palestinians receive basic services.
We urge the Israeli government to abide by these obligations and immediately and without delay ensure the facilitation of full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian assistance into and throughout the entire Gaza strip.
Mr. President,
We must not lose sight of the worrying developments in the West Bank. Denmark is deeply concerned by the latest increase in violence and reiterate that the expansion of settlements, in clear violation of international law, undermines the prospects for a two-state solution.
Mr. President, to conclude,
It is high time to lay the foundations for peace.
Now is the time to commit to lasting peace through a two-state solution. Where Palestinians and Israelis alike can live in peaceful co-existence and mutual recognition.
Now is the time to support peace in Lebanon in all ways possible, and benefit from the new dawn rising as the Secretary General was stating
Now is the time to support the people of Syria rebuilding their country in a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned and inclusive manner.
And now is the time for a just and brighter future with freedom and dignity.
We must match the enormity of this moment with ambition and action and make good on the promise of the United Nations Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. The peoples of the Middle East deserve it.
Thank you.
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