YouSaid · the spoken record

Barbara Woodward

lines on the record: 1,082
first: 2020-12-08
most recent: 2023-12-29
sittings or episodes: 263
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“I want to say that the Russian Ambassador misquoted my remarks. I want to be clear: there is only one cause of the tragedy, and that is the actions of Russia. The rest is a torrent of lies and disinformation.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9523 (2023) · source
“Our support will remain for as long as it takes, and I join the Secretary-General in condemning those attacks in the strongest terms. As this is likely the final meeting of the year, I want to express my appreciation to the presidency for its excellent stewardship of the Council during this very busy month. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates, who have been excellent partners, made vital contributions to our work and each brought their unique perspective. We will miss them.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9523 (2023) · source
“Last night’s attack was, as my Defence Secretary said, a desperate and futile attempt by Russia to regain momentum. It will not succeed. Ukraine has already forced Russia’s Black Sea fleet to retreat from its Crimea base. Ukraine is defending its territory. It has already retaken more than half the land seized by Russia since February 2022 and, as I said, it is pushing Russia back in the Black Sea. We therefore again praise the bravery and resolve of the Ukrainian people and the country’s armed forces. The United Kingdom continues to stand by them. We are sending hundreds more missiles to restock the air-defence systems, which are helping to protect Ukraine’s civilians and its infrastructure from Russia’s brutal attacks.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9523 (2023) · source
“The reports indicate that at least 30 people have been killed and hundreds wounded — and the death toll is still rising. The toll would much higher if it were not for Ukrainian air-defence systems, which have been supplemented by the international community. This war, which a permanent member of the Security Council — Russia — chose, continues to inflict a devastating human cost on ordinary Ukrainians. Earlier this month, during my visit to Kyiv, I met children recovering from injuries caused by Russian missile strikes in Kherson and at the Kramatorsk railway station. Those children lost limbs. They lost their parents. They lost their childhood. But they are brave and resilient children, and they are determined to rebuild their lives, homes and country. Russia’s illegal and brutal aggression will, however, last long in Ukraine’s history.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9523 (2023) · source
“I join others in thanking Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing. It is with deep regret that we find ourselves here to respond to yet another brutal attack by the Russians against the Ukrainian people. Last night, Russia launched the largest wave of missile and drone attacks since the war started, using more than 158 weapons of different types. This was not a push on the front lines. Those missiles were aimed at population centres across Ukraine — at Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi and many more cities. They struck homes, apartment buildings, shopping centres and metro stations. A maternity hospital and a regional oncology centre have been damaged. In short, that is civilian infrastructure. These reports are unfortunately no longer surprising, but they are still shocking.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9523 (2023) · source
“They include the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas and an end to the threat posed to Israel by rocket attacks and other forms of terrorism. Sustainable peace and security for both the Israeli and Palestinian people requires that we then redouble our efforts to deliver a new political horizon towards the delivery of two States — a secure and stable Israel, with a viable and independent Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9522 (2023) · source
“Thirdly, concerning the wider risk in the region, we are acutely aware of the conflict’s potential to spill over to the wider region. We are engaging at the most senior levels to caution against further escalation along the Blue Line. A full-blown conflict between Israel and Hizbullah would be catastrophic for Lebanon and the region. We also condemn illegal and unjustified attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants. The attacks are harming the global economy, threatening regional security and risking innocent lives. In conclusion, in resolution 2720 (2023), we underscored the need for conditions that would allow for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9522 (2023) · source
“The situation in the occupied West Bank underlines the urgent need to make progress towards peace. The United Kingdom is clear that Israel must stop settler violence immediately and hold perpetrators accountable. We also continue to call on Israel to adhere to its commitments and cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. Approving further settlement serves only to raise tensions in the West Bank. Both Israel and the Palestinian Authority should demonstrate, through their policies, a genuine commitment to the two- State solution. It is vital that we all work together to deliver peace, dignity and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike. In that regard, I very much welcome Mr. Muasher’s thoughtful briefing earlier.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9522 (2023) · source
“Therefore, with the adoption of resolution 2720 (2023), the Security Council sent an important signal of commitment to support the United Nations to deliver desperately needed aid. We very much welcome the appointment of Sigrid Kaag as Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza. Our own appointment of a United Kingdom representative for humanitarian affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories underscores our commitment to address the humanitarian crisis. Secondly, with regard to security, we remain resolute in our commitment to Israel’s security and the need to address the threat from Hamas. But too many civilians have been killed. Israel must comply with international humanitarian law and differentiate clearly between terrorists and civilians.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9522 (2023) · source
“Let me join others in thanking Assistant Secretary- General Khiari, Mr. Muasher and Mr. Epshtain for their briefings today. Let me start with the humanitarian crisis. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report for the Gaza Strip, issued on 21 December, has recorded that more people are in phase 5 famine in Gaza than in the rest of the world combined. Yesterday, I spoke to the Save the Children Country Director in the occupied Palestinian territories. He told me that 4 in 10 of those killed in Gaza so far have been children. That is close to 8,500 children dead. For those injured and surviving, nearly two thirds of homes and schools have been damaged or destroyed. Many more will die from attacks, disease and famine if we do not act to stop the humanitarian catastrophe.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9522 (2023) · source
“We therefore encourage all parties, including Afghan and international stakeholders, to take forward the independent assessment’s recommendations, working towards an Afghanistan that is at peace with its people, its neighbours and the international community.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9521 (2023) · source
“First, I would like to start by thanking the co-penholders — the United Arab Emirates and Japan — not only for their tireless efforts on this important text, but also for their creativity and tenacity, which led to the Council mandating the independent assessment on Afghanistan (see S/2023/856), which was very ably executed by Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioğlu. As we have said multiple times in the Chamber, we should seize the momentum of the independent assessment, with the hope of shaping Afghanistan’s current negative trajectory. At the same time, the Taliban have a responsibility to meet their international commitments, including via the immediate reversal of policies restricting women’s rights and fundamental freedoms.”
2023-12-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9521 (2023) · source
“My Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary have been loud and clear in their calls for a sustainable ceasefire, as soon as possible. But a ceasefire will not last if Hamas is still able to operate in tunnels and to launch rocket attacks. Our commitment to Israel’s security is firm, as Israel deals with the threat from Hamas. Ultimately, we support a two-State solution that guarantees true security and stability for both Israeli and Palestinian people. We also thank the United Arab Emirates for their leadership on this resolution. Just this week, my Foreign Secretary and the Minister for the Middle East travelled to Jordan and Egypt to make sure that we are supporting every effort to get aid in faster, and we will keep working with all partners to deliver a humanitarian response that meets the huge level of need.”
2023-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9520 (2023) · source
“The United Kingdom has experts on the ground providing logistical support at Al-Arish, in Egypt. And today we supported this resolution, which will streamline aid checks so we can massively scale up the humanitarian response. It demands the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and it calls for steps towards a sustainable cessation of hostilities. For the avoidance of doubt, we are clear that the resolution is without prejudice to the rights and obligations of the parties under international humanitarian law. The adoption is an important signal of the Security Council’s commitment. Our actions today, and in the future, must help ensure that the horror of 7 October never happens again. We unequivocally condemn Hamas’s acts of terror and support Israel’s right to self-defence.”
2023-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9520 (2023) · source
“The United Kingdom welcomes the adoption of resolution 2720 (2023) to get more aid into Gaza. As my Foreign Secretary has said, it is heartbreaking to see children in the rubble of their destroyed homes, not knowing where to find food or water, not knowing where their parents are. It is also heartbreaking to hear the stories of families who still do not know the whereabouts of their loved ones who were brutally taken on 7 October. And it is heart-wrenching to know that aid is piling up outside Gaza but not getting to the people that need it when we hear daily warnings that people are starving, disease is spreading and basic health care is lacking. The United Kingdom is doing everything we can to get more aid in. We have tripled United Kingdom aid to the region. We were the first country to call on Israel to open more crossings.”
2023-12-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9520 (2023) · source
“And we very much look forward to working with Council colleagues in the coming months to cement today’s achievement and to ensure that we have a workable framework that enables African Union-led peace support operations to meet the peace and security challenges faced in Africa and help to silence the guns.”
2023-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9518 (2023) · source
“And that requires clarity on financial and logistical burden- sharing arrangements between the United Nations, the African Union and other contributors, beyond elements for which contributors would already expect to receive reimbursement. We also want to ensure that the Security Council, given its mandate for international peace and security, is fully involved and consulted from the outset in the development of any peace support operation. That will help us work hand in hand with the AU Peace and Security Council to design accountable, effective and efficient missions of the future.”
2023-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9518 (2023) · source
“I want to start by appreciating the role and the work of Gabon, Ghana and Mozambique, working with the African Union Commission, in seeking to develop a framework for United Nations support to future operations led by the African Union (AU). It goes without saying that the United Kingdom recognizes the important role that African Union peace support operations can play in delivering peace and security in Africa. The United Kingdom voted in favour of today’s resolution 2719 (2023), which represents a significant breakthrough. As we look ahead, we recognize that more work will be needed to ensure that any future African Union-led operation can access the sustainable and predictable financing that it needs.”
2023-12-21 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9518 (2023) · source
“Israel needs to be able to address the threat posed by Hamas, and it needs to do so in a manner that abides by international humanitarian law, so that such an attack can never be carried out again and so that we can work meaningfully towards a two-State solution that delivers statehood for Palestinians, security for Israel and peace for people on both sides. That is why we abstained in the voting on the draft resolution (S/2023/970).”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9499 (2023) · source
“We are gravely concerned about the desperate situation in Gaza. The scale of civilian deaths and displacement in Gaza cannot continue. We welcomed the extended humanitarian pause last month and the release of hostages and humanitarian aid deliveries that took place during it. We call for further and longer pauses to get aid to Palestinians and allow space for further hostage releases. But we cannot vote in favour of a draft resolution that does not condemn the atrocities Hamas committed against innocent Israeli civilians on 7 October. Calling for a ceasefire ignores the fact that Hamas has committed acts of terror and is still holding civilians hostage.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9499 (2023) · source
“Israel’s announcement approving further settlements in the Lower Aqueduct area of East Jerusalem is alarming and serves only to raise the tensions in the West Bank when the international effort is focused on preventing further conflict. I want to make it clear that settlements are illegal under international law. They are an obstacle to peace and threaten the physical viability and delivery of a two-State solution. That decision must be reversed with immediate effect. Let us work together to deliver peace, dignity and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9498 (2023) · source
“We welcome the fact that Kerem Shalom will now be open for screening aid deliveries. We urge Israel to go further and to fully open Kerem Shalom to allow goods to cross so that the huge volumes of aid needed can reach the people of Gaza. That should include at a minimum the 200,000 litres of fuel per day that the United Nations has called for. It is imperative that we work to agree on further urgently needed humanitarian pauses, building on the pivotal work of Egypt, Qatar and the United States. As we work to halt the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, we also need to work to avoid escalation in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9498 (2023) · source
“The United Kingdom continues to support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas’s terrorism as it seeks the return of more than 100 hostages who are still held in Gaza. But we are absolutely clear that Israel must be targeted and precise in achieving that goal. The Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom have delivered that message and will continue to do so. Civilians must be protected. In parallel, we need a marked increase in the provision of sustainable and unhindered delivery of life-saving aid and essential services to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe from taking place. That includes increasing the types of aid allowed. The sanitation and shelter picture, together with the lack of medical provision in Gaza, is dire, and there is a desperate need for sanitation and shelter kits and vital medicines.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9498 (2023) · source
“I thank the Secretary-General for his briefing and for his letter to the Security Council under Article 99 of the Charter of the United Nations (S/2023/962). These are dark days. The horror of Hamas’s 7 October attacks hangs over us, including the shocking reports of sexual violence by Hamas against Israeli women and girls. The terrible and heart-wrenching suffering of innocent Palestinians, including many women and young children, is a humanitarian tragedy unfolding before our eyes. The Secretary-General, who has our strong support, set out clearly the trajectory towards humanitarian catastrophe facing Palestinians in Gaza. We need to respond and to do so with urgency. The sheer scale of civilians killed is shocking. The fact that 80 per cent of the population has been displaced in Gaza cannot continue.”
2023-12-08 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9498 (2023) · source
“The United Kingdom fully supports both the women and peace and security and the youth, peace and security agendas to help build community resilience and reduce recruitment into organized crime groups. In conclusion, we thank you, Mr. President, for this debate, and we remain committed to working together to fight and prevent transnational organized crime.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“The United Kingdom is committed to the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). We funded the development of a UNODC Organized Crime Strategy Toolkit to help Member States develop their own national organized crime strategies, and we are pleased that many countries are using the Toolkit. Finally, we welcome the efforts by the United Nations and other organizations to adapt to the escalating challenges and to better coordinate with wider security, development and economic work, including alongside the private sector and civil society. I think that the Council and the wider United Nations can provide further leadership on that and support its acceleration.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“Organized crime, corruption and illicit financing drain resources and undermine societies. And online threats, including cybercrime, fraud and new technologies such as artificial intelligence, are exacerbating those risks. Secondly, without the security that comes from effectively tackling transnational organized crime, economic development, State-building and poverty reduction is not really possible. Crime and gender considerations should be incorporated into development and security approaches. Traditional law enforcement should be combined with wider efforts to address the drivers of crime, such as poor governance or poverty; the enablers of crime, such as illicit financing or corruption; and the harms that crime produces, including by protecting victims and returning assets.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, for calling this valuable open debate. I also thank the Secretary-General and our thought-provoking speakers this morning. The United Kingdom agrees with the Secretary- General that we can deepen cooperation to tackle the complex threat of transnational organized crime and find global solutions to it. The United Kingdom is pleased to be working with the Ecuadorian Government and with many other Governments across the world in those efforts. I would like to stress three points. First, as we have heard, the impact of organized crime globally is significant. Organized criminal networks are exacerbating conflict, instability and the negative effect of climate change around the globe — taking advantage of geopolitical, economic and technological shifts.”
2023-12-07 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9497 (2023) · source
“Thirdly, like others, we welcomed the establishment of a maritime corridor in the Black Sea that has now enabled Ukraine to supply 5 million tons of grain to global markets. Russia’s attempts to prevent Ukraine from exporting its grain by attacking its ports, holding the world’s food supply to ransom, have failed. We will continue to work with Ukraine and other partners to ensure the security of the corridor and protect global food security. Russia has caused humanitarian suffering through its invasion of Ukraine, so we once again urge Russia to end its war now by withdrawing from Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory.”
2023-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9494 (2023) · source
“My Foreign Secretary met with some of those organizations during his recent visit to Ukraine and was struck by their courage and bravery. We will continue to support their work, and we urge the United Nations and other colleagues to do the same. Secondly, as we have heard, more than 17 million Ukrainians need humanitarian assistance, but Russia continues to deny and block humanitarian access to millions of Ukrainians living in the territories that are temporarily under Russia’s control, leaving those people severely short of food, water and fuel as winter sets in. We therefore call on Russia to comply fully with its obligations under international humanitarian law, allowing humanitarians to operate safely in those areas and to deliver aid to millions of people in need.”
2023-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9494 (2023) · source
“I thank Assistant Secretary-General Jenča and Director Rajasingham for their briefings today and for the work of their teams. It is now nearly two years since Russia invaded Ukraine, illegally and brutally. Russia has killed Ukrainian men, women and children and denied them their future. Russia has injured men, women and children and destroyed the hospitals where they might seek care. Russia has destroyed civilian infrastructure — hospitals, schools, homes, playgrounds, theatres, roads and railways. And as winter approaches, Russia is now targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. However, Russia has not broken the spirit and the resolve of the Ukrainian people or our determination to support them. First, we commend the work of the Ukrainian organizations and volunteer networks that are providing life-saving humanitarian support.”
2023-12-06 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9494 (2023) · source
“Secondly, the Council should reiterate the depth of its resolve to combating proliferation. We urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to cease its arms supply and abide by its public commitment not to sell arms to Russia. Thirdly, we urge the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to cease those launches, return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearization and peace on the Korean peninsula. I urge the Council to demonstrate its commitment to ensure that our resolutions are enforced and to send a united message to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.”
2023-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9485 (2023) · source
“But the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea shows no sign of restraint in response. In fact, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has stated its intention to launch more satellites. That follows 29 launches of ballistic missiles so far this year, including four intercontinental ballistic missiles. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has written its nuclear aspirations into its Constitution. What should we do? First, I welcome the participation of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in today’s debate. Above all, I hope its representative will report to Pyongyang our concern for the people of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. And in that respect, I encourage the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to reopen its borders and re-engage with United Nations agencies.”
2023-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9485 (2023) · source
“Moreover, those launches follow increased engagement between Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, including Kim Jong Un’s visit to Vostochny Cosmodrome in September, where he met President Putin. When asked by a reporter whether Russia would help North Korea launch its own satellites and rockets, President Putin responded, “That is exactly why we came here. The leader of North Korea shows great interest in space.” We have, in addition, credible reports of Russia sourcing weapons from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. All that, as Assistant Secretary-General Khiari said, has humanitarian consequences. The North Korean people suffer the most as resources are diverted. What should the Council do? Some argue that the Council should remain silent and avoid escalating the situation.”
2023-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9485 (2023) · source
“I thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing, and I welcome the participation of the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea at this meeting. As we have heard, we are meeting because, on 21 November, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea made a third attempt at launching a military reconnaissance satellite. It triggered Japan’s local alert system in Okinawa, forcing civilians to take shelter. That was followed by a ballistic missile launch on 22 November. Those are clear threats to global peace and security, which is the core responsibility of the Council, and they violate multiple Security Council resolutions.”
2023-11-27 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9485 (2023) · source
“Though the United Kingdom regrets that the first resolution passed by the Council on this matter could not clearly condemn the Hamas terrorist attacks of 7 October, the barbarity of those attacks should be clear to us all. That is why we have abstained today. But let me be absolutely clear — it was vital and overdue for the Council to speak on this crisis, and we strongly support the resolution’s purpose to get aid in and hostages out. I therefore commend Malta’s astounding work in submitting a resolution that could be adopted. We will continue to work with Council members to resolve this crisis and to create a new political horizon so that we can deliver on the promise of peace for Israelis and Palestinians and make a two-State solution a reality.”
2023-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9479 (2023) · source
“Three British Royal Air Force flights have delivered life-saving humanitarian aid and enabling equipment to support the Egyptian Red Crescent Society in delivering international aid through the Rafah checkpoint. We are urging — and I urge here today — that the priority be improved land access, including at Kerem Shalom, so aid can get in at scale. All parties must give civilians the protection that is their right under international law, including international humanitarian law. That includes respecting the sanctity and protection of hospitals. It is also right that this resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages. It is unconscionable that Hamas continues to hold men, women and children, causing terrible fear and suffering for their families. This resolution is absolutely necessary.”
2023-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9479 (2023) · source
“It is impossible to comprehend the pain and the loss that Palestinian civilians are enduring. Too many civilians, including, most tragically, children, are losing their lives. So it is right that the Security Council calls for a humanitarian pause for a period of days, long enough to get life-saving aid to those who need it and establish a safer environment for humanitarians. That will save lives. We need a collective effort to get aid in as fast as possible, by as many routes as possible. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has been very clear about the need for life-saving aid to reach civilians in Gaza, including food, water, medical supplies and fuel as a priority. For our part, the United Kingdom has doubled our aid to help civilians in Gaza.”
2023-11-15 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9479 (2023) · source
“The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary was in Riyadh yesterday, where he discussed preventing regional escalation with the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and representatives of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and the Palestinian Authority. The Foreign Secretary also reaffirmed the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to a two-State solution.”
2023-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9472 (2023) · source
“In that context, international humanitarian law is not a nice-to-have — international humanitarian law is what keeps humanitarian workers and medical staff safe to assist those in need, and it protects civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, wherever possible. We therefore urge all parties to the conflict to take all possible steps to minimize harm to civilians, health and humanitarian workers and protected sites, and we express our condolences for each life lost. Lastly, we have been clear that Israel must do more to prevent escalation in the West Bank. We welcome statements, including the one made by Prime Minister Netanyahu condemning settler violence, but we must see tangible action to bring perpetrators to justice. We also condemn attacks against Israel emanating from armed groups in the region.”
2023-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9472 (2023) · source
“For that to happen, we must see humanitarian pauses that allow enough time for aid to be delivered to those who need it and for hostages to be released. Fuel must be allowed to enter Gaza so that hospitals and water desalination plants can operate and for aid to be delivered. The pauses in northern Gaza are an important first step, but any pauses in hostilities should allow sufficient time and security both for civilians to move and for humanitarian aid to be delivered. Since 7 October, the United Kingdom has been firm in its support for Israel’s right to self-defence following the Hamas terrorist attacks against Israel.”
2023-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9472 (2023) · source
“I thank you, Mr. President, both for organizing this meeting and for the moment of silence earlier. I would also like to thank Mr. Ghebreyesus and Mr. Jilani, not just for their briefings but for the life-saving work that they and their teams are doing. We are in no doubt — there is a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and, as Mr. Ghebreyesus set out, that humanitarian crisis is deteriorating day by day. Of course, we welcome the opening of the Rafah border crossing, and we thank partners for their work in allowing foreign nationals to leave. But it is essential and urgent that more aid flow in the other direction, into Gaza. Access, both through Rafah and other crossing points, needs to improve so that aid can reach the people who so desperately need it.”
2023-11-10 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9472 (2023) · source
“Those attacks are clearly intended to block Ukrainian grain exports, which are crucial to global food security and World Food Programme’s work. Therefore, as winter approaches, I want to underline two points. First, we repeat our call on Russia to comply fully with its obligations under international humanitarian law, to act in line with their statements in other contexts in recent days, to allow for humanitarians to operate safely and to stop using food as a weapon of war. Secondly, Russia must end its illegal invasion of Ukraine. That is the only way to protect global food markets and end the suffering of the Ukrainian people.”
2023-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9464 (2023) · source
“In that regard, I want to echo the concerns expressed by the representative of Ecuador and the Executive Director of UNICEF in terms of the harm that Russia’s invasion is doing to Ukrainian children. Ukrainian organizations and volunteer networks remain the primary humanitarian responders in those parts of Ukraine. Their work is critical, and the United Kingdom commends them for their courage and commitment. And it is vital that the international community, including the United Nations, continue to support them. As we have heard from Mr. Rajasingham and as we have discussed before, Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s ports and grain infrastructure destroyed more than 280,000 tons of grain in a month — enough to feed many more than 1 million people for a year.”
2023-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9464 (2023) · source
“I start by thanking Mr. Rajasingham for his briefing today and, through him, his colleagues in the Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs for their work. Russia’s brutal, illegal and full-scale invasion of Ukraine has shattered lives, families and livelihoods. As we have heard, the humanitarian needs are most acute around the front lines and in the temporarily Russian- controlled territories. Reporting indicates that civilians face significant hardship, with shortages of food, fuel and water. We call on Russia to allow for humanitarians to operate safely in those areas, to deliver aid to people who desperately need it. But no Ukrainian is unaffected. More than 5 million Ukrainians are internally displaced, and more than 17 million need humanitarian assistance.”
2023-10-31 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9464 (2023) · source
“In that regard, some fundamental principles apply: there should be no mass displacement of Gazans to neighbouring countries, the Palestinian Authority should play a central role, and nothing should be done that cuts across progress towards a two-State solution, with Gaza as an integral part of a Palestinian State.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9462 (2023) · source
“The Palestinian Authority has a key role as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. We call on Israel and other States to support the Palestinian Authority. We call on the Israeli authorities to tackle the rising number of settler attacks and killings in the occupied West Bank, recalling that it is their responsibility to protect Palestinian civilians there. The United Kingdom retains the long-term goal of a two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully. To reach that goal, we have a responsibility to ensure a plan for Gaza that offers its population hope, security, stability, prosperity and effective governance so that their political wishes can be fulfilled.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9462 (2023) · source
“For that to happen successfully, there needs to be a safer environment, which necessitates humanitarian pauses. We support United Nations- led efforts in that regard. Since the latest escalation in Gaza, the United Kingdom has committed more than $36 million in additional aid to the occupied Palestinian territories. A Royal Air Force flight arrived in Egypt on 25 October, carrying 21 tons of aid from the United Kingdom for Gaza. But the access environment needs to improve immediately so that those and other life-saving resources can reach the people who desperately need them. Thirdly, we cannot allow the conflict to spread. We call on all countries in the region to help avoid escalation and warn non-State actors not to exploit the current situation.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9462 (2023) · source
“Our efforts with our international partners have focused on the protection of civilians, securing and scaling up humanitarian access and the release of hostages. Sadly, despite those efforts, the situation in Gaza deteriorates daily. Hamas bears sole responsibility for starting the conflict. I would like to highlight three priorities. First, we call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the principles of proportionality, distinction and necessity. That requires all parties to take every possible step to avoid the harming of civilians and to bring about the immediate and unconditional release of hostages. Secondly, we must urgently cooperate to scale up aid into Gaza and to ensure that sufficient access points are open.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9462 (2023) · source
“I would like to thank Commissioner-General Lazzarini, Executive Director Russell and Director Doughten for their stark and clear briefings. Let me start by recognizing the courage, commitment and sacrifice of the United Nations employees and humanitarian workers in Gaza, in particular the 103 aid workers — including the 64 staff members of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East — who have been killed in Gaza in the past 22 days. We also offer our sincere condolences to all Palestinians and Israelis who have suffered or lost loved ones. Since Hamas’s terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October, the United Kingdom has underscored Israel’s right to self-defence against terrorism. We continue to be clear that this must be done in accordance with international humanitarian law.”
2023-10-30 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.9462 (2023) · source