Mr. President,
I would like to begin by thanking the Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, for his briefing. I would also like to welcome Their Excellencies, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Liberia and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Greece, and to welcome the presence of our colleagues, the Permanent Representatives of Palestine and Israel, as well as the participation of other States in this open debate.
Mr. President,
One hundred days after the conclusion of the ceasefire in Gaza, thanks to the efforts of the United States, Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar, which we commend, the humanitarian emergency in Gaza persists. The response to the immense needs of the population remains insufficient.
It is urgent that Israel remove all obstacles to humanitarian access so that the United Nations and NGOs can operate independently and impartially throughout Gaza, in accordance with international humanitarian law. We ask, first, for an end to: the deregistration of dozens of international NGOs, including many French ones; secondly, the increasing pressure on UNRWA, which has resulted notably in the demolition of its headquarters in Jerusalem in violation of the privileges and immunities of the United Nations; thirdly, excessive restrictions on goods, including so-called dual-use items; and finally, fourthly, the persistent closure of crossing points. In this regard, the Rafah crossing point must be fully opened in both directions, in accordance with the peace plan.
Mr. President,
France pays tribute to Ran Gvili, the last Israeli hostage held by Hamas, whose remains were able to be repatriated to Israel, and extends its condolences to his family and his loved ones.
This repatriation paves the way to the end of the nightmare that began with Hamas’ terrorist attacks on October 7 and the inhumane capture of 251 people, who were subjected to an endless nightmare.
This leads to the opening of the second phase of President Trump’s 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which must make it possible to achieve lasting peace. France welcomes the mediators’ efforts and we call upon all parties to honor their commitments.
The establishment of a National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, which is an integral part of Palestine, is an essential element of Palestinians’ ownership of this new phase. This national committee must be deployed on the ground and respond to the population’s urgent needs, with the support of the Palestinian Authority and of the international community. France intends to contribute fully to this effort. This step must pave the way for the disarmament of Hamas, which should no longer have any role to play in the governance of Gaza, and there should be a return of a reformed Palestinian Authority to Gaza, in order to restore a credible political horizon for the two-state solution, in accordance with the New York Declaration.
With regard to the establishment of the “Board of Peace,” its founding text raises political and legal questions, particularly concerning its scope of application and its governance. France recalls that its action was authorized by Resolution 2803, in accordance with the UN Charter. It is therefore important that the Security Council be regularly informed of the progress made in implementation of Resolution 2803.
Mr. President,
The situation in the West Bank and East Jerusalem continues to deteriorate. Settler violence, the acceleration of settlement activity, including the advancement of the E1 project, the intensification of military operations, and violations of the status quo at the Holy Sites undermine prospects for peace, including the implementation of the peace plan. France condemns all violence. It condemns the attack committed by a Palestinian that left two people dead in the North of Israel on December 26, and it condemns the settlers’ attack of 17 January east of Ramallah, during which local residents and foreign nationals, including a French national, were assaulted.
We call on the Israeli authorities to shed full light on this attack and to initiate proceedings against those responsible.
Over and above this, we would recall that peace and security for Israelis as well as for Palestinians, as clearly recalled by the General Assembly last September, require the establishment of a two-state solution: Israel and Palestine, in all its aspects.
Mr. President,
France would also like to take this opportunity to address two messages to the Council and to the region:
First of all, the importance of respecting the ceasefire in Syria and integrating the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian army and state institutions.
Secondly, the need to support the progress made by the Lebanese authorities in favor of the State’s monopoly on weapons. To this end, France will organize, with the United States and Saudi Arabia, an international support conference on March 5 in Paris.
Thank you.