UN Security Council adopts UAE-led Presidential Statement on Occupied Palestine

The UN Security Council adopted a Presidential Statement opposing unilateral measures that obstruct prospects for a two-state solution in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, with the support of all Council members.

This important decision was facilitated by the UAE, which currently serves as an elected member of the Council.

“The UAE is grateful to Council Members for their constructive approach towards the successful adoption of today’s Presidential Statement, the first decision on this file in more than six years. It is especially important that the Council is united and unequivocal in affirming that continued Israeli settlement activity dangerously imperils the two-state solution,” said Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for Political Affairs and Permanent Representative of the UAE to the UN.

“After a year in which escalating provocations, tension, and violence further eroded the prospects of a two-state solution, the Council’s reiteration of its ‘unwavering commitment’ to the vision of an independent Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace is absolutely necessary.”

The Presidential Statement condemned all acts of violence against civilians and called on all parties to condemn acts of terrorism, refrain from incitement to violence, and pursue accountability for all acts of violence targeting civilians.

Notably, in expressing its deep concern at instances of discrimination, incitement, and hate speech, the Council referred, for the first time, to Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and Christianophobia.