The UNSC session on the recent three day Gaza war has now started. Egypt, Jordan and a representative of Palestine are attending as observers. UN Envoy Tor Wennesland @twennesland is now briefing.
Find links to watch the UNSC session here:
#GazaUnderAttack
Israel is representing itself in the meeting. Earlier the Israel's UN Ambassador @IsraelinUN held a standup meeting addressing media. He did not take questions. He said he would take media questions after today's session.
The Permanent Representative for the State of Palestine is opening the session with a searing address. He thanked several countries at the outset for supporting an appeal to allow Palesinte to brief - they included UNSC members China ,Ireland and the UAE (1 more I missed).
Here is the statement issued last night by the UNSG @AntonioGuterres >> un.org/sg/en/content/…
Israel's UN Ambassador (@IsraelinUN ) Gilad Erdan began his statement by saying that the UNSC would be left with an indelible "stain" if it did not hold Palestine responsible for the recent events.
#GazaUnderAttack
Egypt and the UAE followed. Then P5 member France which delivered a short anodyne contribution.
This may set the tone for US and UK contributions. Norway is talking now making sense. Also short. Now Ireland which along with UAE called for the emergency meeting.
The Ambassador says 80% of children in Gaxa 800,000 of 1 million are in need of psychosocial assistance to deal with the constant attacks on their home.
. @USAmbUN @LindaT_G’s statement is surprisingly moderate in tone - but unsurprisingly repeats Israeli talking points condemning Palestinian Islamic Jihad, PIJ missiles killing Gazan children and accusing Gaza of delaying implementation of the ceasefire.
Mexico’s Ambassador calls for an investigation and the lifting of the blockade on Gaza. He also condemns military actions on both sides, accusing Israel of breaking rules of proportionality and distinction in their bombing, as well as PIJ for its rocket fire.
Ghana says that the council should reintegrate the tracks for the ME peace process without delay.
Russia thanks regional states and the UN for assistance with a quick ceasefire and also seeks a resumption of peace talks to resolve the conflict within the Quartet.
Rejects un-cooperative approach of US to resuming quartet activity.
Albania as usual makes a useful and articulate intervention, condemning the conflict actors on both sides. “There is no alternative to negotiations.” The, solution, he says, come through hard work, dedication and trust.
India thanks those who brokered the peace and calls for peace negotiations to resume.
Similarly Gabon wants negotiations. The UK thanks the UAE. Reaffirms support for Israel’s rights to defend itself. Calls for an investigation of what happened and reaffirms it’s support for a 2 state solution on 1967 borders.
Kenya says most of the same things.
China as President closes the meeting, he says the situation is heart breaking, he addresses the disproportionality of the attacks, condemns the killing of children and calls for the lifting of the seige of Gaza.
His statement is fairly long, and much more nuanced and activist than any of the other P5. He calls for a comprehensive just and fast conclusion to the conflict.
Jordan speaks on behalf of the Arab Group. He expresses concerns about the situation in the Holy Sites in Jerusalem and supports the call for an investigation into Israel’s attacks. “Peace will never be secured by settlements,” he says & condemns violations of the Aqsa Mosque.
In summary the usual - but for the impassioned statement made by the Palestinian representative at the beginning of the meeting - which is likely to receive the bulk of media coverage as a result.
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