Middle East Peace at Risk: UN Calls for Bold Action & Two-State Solution | United Nations

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Sigrid Kaag said, “Since the resumption of hostilities in Gaza, the already horrific existence of civilians has only sunk further into the abyss. This is manmade.” During a briefing to the Security Council today (28 May) Kaag confirmed that Israel had approved a limited resumption of aid entry on 18 May. But she stressed that deliveries remain woefully inadequate. “Since then, very limited numbers of goods have entered and have been distributed by the United Nations and its partners. But this is comparable to a lifeboat after the ship has sunk.” Emphasizing the need for a political solution, Kaag said, “There can however be no sustainable peace in the Middle East without a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There are no shortcuts. The two-State solution is on life support; reviving it requires collective action.” Feroze Sidhwa, a trauma surgeon, shared the anguish of health workers on the ground. “My Palestinian friends, mostly healthcare workers, no longer speak of resilience or even survival,” he said. “Parents memorize their children’s clothing in case they must identify their remains.” Sidhwa also said, “We strongly and explicitly reject the weaponization and politicization of aid embodied by the ‘Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,’” he said, citing the resignation of its executive director over alleged failures to uphold humanitarian principles. U.S. envoy John Kelley reaffirmed Washington’s support for Israel, “Every day Hamas demonstrates its lack of regard for the Palestinians it claims to represent.” He also said that Hamas is diverting aid and violently suppressing dissent, adding, “The United States fully stands behind Israel and its right to defend itself.” Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer to the United Nations, Palestine said, "Israel wants to appear as allowing aid in, while continuing to make sure life cannot actually be sustained in Gaza." Before the Security Council meeting Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon spoke to members of press and pushed back against international criticism. “We are not bombing the people of Gaza. We are fighting a terrorist organization,” he said. “We have two goals in this war,” Danon added. “We will not finish the war leaving behind 58 people. Their families are waiting for them, and we are committed to finish this war by making sure the hostages are back, and Hamas is out of the game.” After the Security Council meeting, Sigrid Kaag said to reporters, "Privatization of aid and the weaponization of aid is a very dangerous precedent. It doesn't only speak to the situation, potentially in Gaza, but worldwide. And we have to look at the things we allow, don't allow or speak out against or discourage. It's not only relevant to the here and the now, it is relevant to so many other conflict situations. So, I would say support the UN." For all official languages, please visit: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1h/k1h6akrxuo


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