UNSC Open debate on Middle East (including the Palestinian Question)

(October 19, 2021; 1000 hrs)

Statement by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti

Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations

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Thank you, Mr. President. I welcome your presiding over today’s meeting. I thank Special Coordinator Tor Wennesland for his briefing. I also thank Ms. Hanan Ashrawi and Mr. Daniel Levy for their insights. I welcome the participation of the Ambassador of Israel and the Ambassador of Palestine in our meeting.

2. India’s position on the Palestine issue is consistent and well known.   We firmly believe that only the establishment of a sovereign, viable and independent State of Palestine, within recognized and mutually agreed borders, living side by side with Israel in peace and security, taking into consideration the legitimate security concerns of Israel, can deliver a durable and lasting solution to the conflict.

3. I reiterate India’s long-standing position that the Palestine issue be resolved through a peacefully negotiated settlement that promotes a two-State solution. The maintenance of peace and stability is a prerequisite for that to go forward.

Mr. President,

4. Consolidating the ceasefire in Gaza and expediting its reconstruction should continue to remain a priority of the UN and the international community. We call on all parties to the conflict to respect the ceasefire, continue their cooperation and coordination with the UN and take concrete steps that would improve the economic and humanitarian situation of the civilians in Gaza. I also reiterate the urgent need to address the underlying causes that have resulted in the deterioration of the situation in Gaza.   I reaffirm India’s call for regular and predictable transfer of aid and other essential items to Gaza to ease the humanitarian situation and facilitate early reconstruction, as well as for appropriate use of such aid. It is also important that the international donor community supports the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip through the Palestinian Authority.

5. We also encourage parties to remain engaged on the prisoner exchange discussions and work towards a positive outcome, this being a humanitarian imperative. We appreciate the role of Egypt in facilitating these talks.

6. We condemn all acts of violence against civilians, as well as all acts of provocation, incitement and destruction. We call for desisting from provocative action and inflammatory rhetoric in the interest of peace and stability. We underscore the need to respect and maintain the historic status quo in the holy sites of Jerusalem.

7. We are concerned by Palestinian Authority’s precarious fiscal situation, which has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. International community needs to support the Palestinian socio-economic recovery with a focus on social protection, in line with the priorities of the Palestinian Authority.

8. We appreciate the recent announcements to improve the economic and administrative relationships between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. These announcements have to be translated into actions.

9. The UNRWA plays an important role in providing humanitarian and development assistance. India has continued to support the Agency’s core budget through annual voluntary contributions.

10. India has   been consistently supporting Palestinian nation-building efforts under the India-Palestine developmental partnership.  In addition to our ongoing projects in health, education and technology sectors, we are also implementing quick impact projects, which would benefit the local communities. These programs have continued despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. President,

11.  We also call upon the international community, the Middle East Quartet in particular, to take concrete steps towards resuming and facilitating peace negotiations. In this regard, we welcome the continued high-level exchanges between the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority. These exchanges would help build confidence between the parties and create a favourable environment for resumption of peace negotiations. Such measures should run parallel to efforts to restart the direct negotiations, which remain the best pathway to reach the two-State solution.

I thank you.

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