YouSaid · the spoken record

Gunnarsson

lines on the record: 38
first: 2015-07-23
most recent: 2018-04-26
sittings or episodes: 8
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

“There must also be an end to provocative acts by Palestinians in Gaza. Finally, a peace process needs to be put on track. There needs to be a viable peace track.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“His clear analysis offers some hope for progress on finding a political solution. However, the search for a political settlement must be inclusive, including of women, and outside actors must not sabotage talks in the mistaken hope of achieving a military advantage. On the Israel-Palestine question, there is a clear objective - the two-State solution, under which both Israel and Palestine will live side by side in peace. Yet there are actions and inaction on both sides that make the two-State solution increasingly fragile. The Israeli settlement policy continues to undermine the possibility of the two-State solution and Gaza remains a powder keg. If that situation is to be defused, Israel must end the isolation of Gaza and adopt proportionate measures in the face of civil unrest.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“Iceland applauds the commitments made in Brussels earlier this week to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation in Syria and in its neighbours. Iceland has increased its funding through a multi-year contribution. It will have contributed nearly $9 million over the period from 2017 to 2020. The parties to the conflict, in particular the Syrian Government and its backers, must show a real commitment to negotiating an inclusive political settlement. The Secretary-General has said that peace is a moral and political imperative for the Syrian people and for the world. What the Secretary-General has called a stupid war continues to devastate the lives of millions of Yemenis. We welcome the appointment of Mr. Martin Griffiths as the Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Yemen.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“The use of chemical weapons by the Syrian Government is well documented and constitutes one of the most serious violations of international law. The latest shocking reports from Douma have yet to be fully investigated. However, the Syrian Government has already demonstrated the will and the ability to use such cruel and illegal weapons against civilian populations. We urge the Security Council to find unity on the issue, not only for the sake of the Syrians but also in order to preserve the international non-proliferation regime. The General Assembly again finds itself in a position where it needs to look for alternatives to action by the Security Council. The Council is not fulfilling its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“Allow me first to thank the presidency of Peru for having convened this quarterly meeting on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. I would also like to thank Mr. Mladenov for his comprehensive and thoughtful briefing this morning. Allow me also to join other speakers in expressing my condolences to the people and the Government of Cote d'Ivoire for the untimely passing of our colleague, Ambassador Bernard Tanoh-Boutchoue. Syria and Yemen cast a dark shadow over the Middle East region and over the United Nations, particularly the Security Council. Speaking about the eight years of war in Syria, the Secretary-General referred to the systematic violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law and the utter disregard for the letter and spirit of the Charter of the United Nations.”
2018-04-26 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8244 (2018) · source
“On behalf of the United Nations, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) is carrying out vital work, under the principled leadership of Commissioner-General Krahenbuhl. Undermining UNRWA now undermines peace and stability in the Middle East. Iceland believes that international law and multilateral institutions, even though not always perfect, must underpin relations between States and their peoples. The alternative is that the rule of might is right, which almost always leads to violence and conflict. As the Secretary-General said a few days ago [AT A PRESS CONFERENCE], we need more dialogue and deeper international cooperation.”
2018-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8167 (2018) · source
“We must avoid actions that take us further away from the two-State solution or that have the potential to further undermine trust, enflame passions and spark violence. That applies equally to violence by Palestinian individuals or organizations targeting Israelis and the disproportionate Israeli military response and to the ongoing Israeli settlement policy. We also appeal to powerful sponsor countries to work for the conditions and environment conducive to conducting peace negotiations. Meanwhile, the precarious existence of many Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, is a humanitarian and security concern. Failure to address the ongoing humanitarian needs of the Palestinian refugee population has the potential to create a breeding ground for extremism among young people, who would be put out of school and out of hope.”
2018-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8167 (2018) · source
“In the meantime, as the Secretary-General has said, peace is a moral and political imperative for the Syrian people and for the world. What the Secretary-General has called a stupid war has devastated the lives of millions of Yemenis. It has been called the world's largest humanitarian catastrophe and is entirely man-made. We should pay more attention to that conflict, where civilians are paying a huge price in a senseless war that has been overshadowed by other conflicts in the region. One has to wonder about the humanity of those responsible. Compared with other conflicts in the Middle East region, the Israel-Palestine conflict should be solvable. There is a clear objective - the two-State solution, under which both Israel and Palestine will live side by side in peace.”
2018-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8167 (2018) · source
“Allow me first to thank the presidency of Kazakhstan for convening this quarterly meeting on the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The Middle East region faces ongoing major conflicts and multiple humanitarian crises. The humanitarian situation in Syria remains marked by unparalleled suffering, destruction and disregard for human life, as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has described it. It is just over a year since the General Assembly adopted resolution 71/248 on establishing a mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the most serious crimes in the Syrian Arab Republic. The resolution demonstrates the determination of the General Assembly to ensure justice in the long term.”
2018-01-25 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.8167 (2018) · source
“The Security Council took important damage control measures when it adopted resolution 2334 (2016) last December. The resolution aims to safeguard a key prerequisite for the two-State solution - the possibility ofa viable territory for the Palestinian State. We welcome the first quarterly report by the Secretary- General, delivered orally on 23 March. The monitoring of the implementation of the resolution must continue. Finally, in line with paragraph 9 of resolution 2334 (2016), we would urge an intensification and acceleration of international and regional diplomatic efforts and support aimed at achieving, without delay, comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Despite the bleak outlook in much of the region, there is one conflict that should be amenable to resolution and where preventing further conflict should be possible. I am referring to the Israel-Palestine conflict. The two- State solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict is the only viable peace plan, and it has been on the table for years. It should therefore be a key priority of the Security Council to protect and nurture the two-State solution, even when both parties to the conflict seem, at times, hell-bent on tearing that plan up. On the one hand, we have violent acts by individual Palestinians against Israeli citizens and the frequent firing of rockets into Israel and that is totally unacceptable. On the other hand, we have Israel's constant undermining of the basis for a two-State solution through illegal settlements.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“The Security Council has a clear responsibility to end the conflict in Syria and pave the way for a political solution 4 the only way forward. All parties to the conflict have a responsibility for making peace negotiations work. In particular, that responsibility lies with the Al-Assad Government and its State backers, Russia and Iran. The hopes raised by the Astana process, and the energy put into the main United Nations- sponsored Geneva peace process require concerted political energy and will. The failure to establish a proper political peace process will cause continued suffering among the Syrian people and allow for the violence to further spread into neighbouring States, such as Lebanon.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“We have also welcomed Syrian refugees in Iceland, in coordination with Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees. The continued targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure by the Syrian Government and rebel forces, particularly medical facilities, is completely unacceptable, and the use of chemical weapons at the beginning of this month, with strong evidence pointing to the Syrian Government, is outrageous. The perpetrators of that and other acts which violate international law must be brought to justice. That is why the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons-United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism is of key importance and why Iceland supports the Syria accountability mechanism.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“Allow me to thank the United States presidency of the Security Council for organizing today's quarterly debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. Allow me to also thank Mr. Mladenov for his briefing. The Middle East region remains in a state ofturmoil. Complex internal conflicts have led to displacement and suffering on a massive scale, with famine looming in many areas, including in Yemen. The work programme of the Security Council is heavily charged with issues of the region, with separate meetings and reports on various aspects of Syria, Yemen, Libya and Iraq. Iceland participated in the Brussels conference on Syria earlier this month. Along with many others, we have committed significantly increased funds to alleviating the humanitarian impact of the Syria crisis.”
2017-04-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7929 (2017) · source
“At the same time, we welcome the effort of France to establish an international forum in which peace can be discussed. The Israeli-Palestinian situation is bad, but it could get much worse. We urge the Council to bring its powers of encouragement and coercion to bear on the two parties to the conflict. The Council needs to act to protect the two-State solution”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“We would encourage Palestinian leaders to do everything in their power to reduce tension and avoid provocation. Violent acts against Israeli citizens and the firing of rockets into Israel are totally unacceptable. We urge Palestinian leaders to work to unite the people of Palestine under a democratic Government. Elections need to be held and the different factions need to come together. The two-State solution is in danger of slipping from our grasp. Right now, damage control is a priority. The Quartet report issued earlier this year (S/2016/595, annex) is clear on the minimum actions required of both parties to safeguard the two-State solution. It is time the Security Council gave some real weight to its exhortations. Leaders on both sides bear the heaviest responsibility in guiding their people in the direction of peace.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Yet there is one conflict in the region that should be amenable to resolution - where preventing further conflict should be possible. Indeed, the outline of a viable peace plan has been on the table for years. The two-State solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the only viable peace plan that will allow both nations to live side by side in peace. Yet at times both parties to the conflict seem hell-bent on tearing the plan up. Of great concern is the Israeli Government's continuing settlement policy. At the Arria Formula meeting on settlements last week, we again heard convincing evidence that Israeli Government policy has had the effect 4 intended or not 4 of making it impossible for a contiguous Palestinian State to emerge. Settlement expansion and the destruction of Palestinian structures undermine the basis for peace.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“Allow me to thank the Russian President of the Security Council for organizing this quarterly debate on the situation in the Middle East, which includes the question of Palestine. The region of the Middle East faces massive challenges amid conflict and crisis. The epicentres of conflict 4 Syria, Yemen, Libya 4 have a severe impact on their neighbouring countries. The fallout from the conflicts attests to the staggering cost that the whole world incurs when there is a failure in conflict prevention and conflict resolution. Of course, the costs are most brutal for the civilians living in the zones of conflict. The continued targeting of civilians and civilians infrastructure, particularly medical facilities, is completely unacceptable. Impunity must not be allowed to stand.”
2016-10-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7792 (2016) · source
“It is time that the Council put its weight behind the Quartet's conclusions that continuing on the current course will make the two-State solution increasingly remote. The alternative, according to the Quartet, is entrenching a one-State reality of perpetual occupation and conflict that is incompatible with realizing the national aspirations of both peoples. We encourage the Security Council to take action and to back the recommendations of the Quartet by way of a draft resolution. We also join in encouraging both parties to foster a climate of tolerance that can strengthen the foundations for peace and counter Violent extremism.”
2016-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7736 (2016) · source
“We welcome France's initiative to assist in finding a way for the parties to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to achieve peace, as well as France's offer to coordinate an international conference before the end of the year. The Quartet report provides a basis for action, first of all by the parties to the conflict. The 10 recommendations are addressed mainly to them. But the report also provides a basis for concerted action by the Security Council. The report calls upon each side to independently demonstrate, through policies and actions, a genuine commitment to the two-State solution. But breaches of commitments have been ongoing. There is an opportunity for the Security Council to back up the recommendations of the Quartet with clear instructions to the parties.”
2016-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7736 (2016) · source
“Violence and incitement to violence on both sides receive due attention. The wave of violent acts against ordinary Israelis, settler Violence against Palestinians, rocket attacks from Gaza and disproportionate security action by Israeli forces all widen the gulf that will need to be bridged. The report also describes the detrimental effects of settlement expansion, land designations for exclusive Israeli use and the denial of Palestinian development and demolitions of Palestinian structures, and urges Israel to implement positive and significant policy shifts, including transferring powers and responsibilities in Area C.”
2016-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7736 (2016) · source
“Allow me to thank the Japanese presidency of the Security Council for organizing this quarterly open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. The Middle East region remains steeped in conflict and crisis. Despite determined efforts by the international community, the suffering of millions of civilians continues. Neighbouring countries to the conflicts continue to be severely impacted. Among the intractable problems facing the region, the Israeli- Palestinian conflict should be soluble, but actions by both sides have continued to undermine the only viable path to peace, namely, the two-State solution. We welcome the Quartet report, which provides a clear description of the principal threats to achieving a negotiated peace in the form of a two-State solution.”
2016-07-12 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7736 (2016) · source
“We believe that the security Council must take firm action to safeguard the path to peace and the two-State solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We also believe that broader international involvement is now necessary to break the impasse, and we welcome the French initiative.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“That is principally the responsibility of leaders on both sides, who need to be open to creative and innovative solutions. But the international community, led by the Security Council, should search for ways to bring a sense of hope and a horizon of security for the Palestinians and for Israel. That should include looking at measures to establish international protection. Fourthly, the situation in Gaza needs to be normalized as part of a preventative approach. The firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel is totally unacceptable. The authorities on the ground are responsible for preventing such action. Israeli responses should be proportionate. But if Gaza is not to become a breeding ground for radicalization, then reconstruction must be accelerated and the Strip's isolation lifted. Iceland condemns all acts of violence against civilians.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“They also seriously threaten the viability of the two-State solution. Iceland urges the Security Council to go beyond the words of condemnation expressed by individual Council members and to take action as a body to send a clear signal to the Israeli authorities that settlements are unacceptable. If we are all as serious about the two- State solution as we say we are, the Security Council must defend it. Secondly, the international community needs to do more to lend impetus to the search for peace. Iceland welcomes the launch by France of an international support group and the call for a peace conference. In the search for peace, we should not forget the huge potential that exists in involving women on all sides. Thirdly, ways need to be found to re-establish trust among the parties.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“That is unacceptable, as is the targeting of any other innocent civilians. Of deep concern as well are the killings by Israeli security forces ofa large number of Palestinians in relation to the spate of attacks, raising questions of due process and the excessive use of force. Israeli security forces have killed approximately 180 Palestinians since last September. Al-Haram Al-Sharif has remained quiet in recent months. We would encourage all parties involved to make sure that it continues to do so. Action to prevent further conflict is urgent. First, it is urgent to defend the only clear course to sustainable peace, the two-State solution. Israel continues with illegal settlements, land appropriation and punitive demolitions, despite international condemnation. Those actions are in breach of international law.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“Broad support has been expressed for highlighting prevention and political solutions in the conclusions of the report of the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations (see S/2015/446) and the Secretary-General's report (S/2015/682) on their implementation. We urge the Security Council to refocus its preventative and political powers on the oldest conflict in the Middle East. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a primary example in which decisive action by the Security Council and the international community is needed to prevent further degeneration of the situation. The simmering nature of that conflict is in danger of moving to a boil. The spate of violent attacks against Israeli civilians continues, with the death of 30 innocent Israeli civilians in recent months.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“Allow me to thank the Chinese presidency of the Security Council for having organized this quarterly debate on the situation in the Middle East, including on Israel and Palestine. The region of the Middle East is witnessing an unprecedented series of conflicts and crises, inflicting suffering on millions of civilians. The international community, led by the Council, is addressing those crises in all their urgency, from Syria to Libya and to Yemen. Iceland praises the countries in region that are hosting such a large number of refugees and is contributing new funds to assist countries in the region dealing with refugee crisis. As has been observed, we live in an age when wars have no winners, only losers.”
2016-04-18 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7673Resumption1 (2016) · source
“I would like to pay tribute to those delegations on the Council that have pushed this issue forward. Finally, having put the spotlight on the role of the Security Council, it is vital that other organizations involved in peacekeeping and conflict zones also ensure implementation. Examples would be NATO, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the African Union. The full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) will require the efforts of all.”
2015-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533Resumption1 (2015) · source
“In 2011, after several years' effort, we achieved gender balance, where an equal number of experts of each gender were seconded to the field for an equal amount of time. We are on track to maintaining that balance. Before deployment, all seconded personnel receive education on gender equality and the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). In 2008, Iceland adopted its first national action plan on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). Following a review in 2012, a second national action plan was adopted. A third action plan will be ready next year. That shows that implementation is indeed a continuous work-in-progress. Needless to say, the Security Council must be the centre of the push for effective implementation. It needs to be more active and to show political will in implementing resolution 1325 (2000).”
2015-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533Resumption1 (2015) · source
“We have heard proposals that at least 15 per cent of peacekeeping funding should be directed towards the objectives of resolution 1325 (2000). From our point of View, 15 per cent should be seen as an absolute floor, not the ceiling. As to Iceland, over 20 per cent of our contributions towards peacebuilding in 2014 had gender equality and women's empowerment as their primary objective. That is a level we intend to maintain over the coming years, along with ensuring that other contributions strengthen gender equality and women's empowerment in a significant way. In that respect, 71 per cent of Iceland's total contributions towards peacebuilding in 2014 had gender equality and women's empowerment as the primary, or at least a significant, objective. Iceland deploys civilian experts to the field through the Icelandic Crisis Response Unit.”
2015-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533Resumption1 (2015) · source
“And denigration or denial of women's rights is not only a by-product of conflict but now a war aim among some non-State actors, such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. Many good proposals have emerged from the global study. We strongly agree with the assessment that it is necessary to move from an ad hoc approach to implementation to establishing more structure. Useful concrete proposals include designating sexual violence as a criterion for sanctions and establishing an informal expert group under the Security Council to ensure that there is information and monitoring. Including gender experts in all sanctions expert groups would strengthen implementation. All United Nations Special Envoy teams should include women in high-level positions. Financing is of course key.”
2015-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533Resumption1 (2015) · source
“Allow me first to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this high- level meeting on an issue that is of central importance to the maintenance of peace and security, namely, the central role of women. Allow me also to express my Government's appreciation for the initiative launched by the Secretary-General in the form of the global study and for the work carried out on that study. Resolution 1325 (2000) recognized that women and girls are affected differently by conflict. At the same time, they have a vital contribution to make to the achievement of sustainable peace. The brutal conflicts that have emerged in recent years have magnified the already considerable challenges faced by women and girls. Indeed, rape and sexual abuse have become ever more common as weapons of choice in war.”
2015-10-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7533Resumption1 (2015) · source
“It is therefore essential that the Security Council create a clear frame for ending the occupation and establishing a durable peace, with two States living side by side in peace and security. The dangers of inaction are far greater for all parties involved than the risks of action.”
2015-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7490 (2015) · source
“Unfortunately, the absence of women in the peace process has been noticeable. This has to change. Terrorist activity from Palestinian elements is also totally unacceptable and can only undermine peace. We condemn all acts of violence against civilians. The safety and well-being of civilians must always be ensured. The recent report by the High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations underlines the primacy of politics in maintaining and achieving peace. Managing a crisis is not enough; the aim must be to solve it. There is consensus on the urgency thereof. There are signs in both communities of a loss of faith in the possibility of a peaceful solution.”
2015-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7490 (2015) · source
“Israel needs to abide by international humanitarian and human rights law, including ceasing the demolition of Palestinian homes and the displacement of Palestinians from their land. Predictably, the highly abnormal living conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories have a disproportionate impact on women and children. We commend the work of the United Nations agencies against gender-based violence. The Mehwar Centre for Protection and Empowerment of Women and Families, supported by UN-Women and to which Iceland has contributed, does excellent and much-needed work in the West Bank. Ensuring equal participation of women at all decision-making levels on both sides of the conflict and within the international community is also key to durable peace and reconciliation.”
2015-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7490 (2015) · source
“We join others in calling on Israel to immediately stop all settlement activities. Of continuing deep concern is the humanitarian situation of the Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, where we continue to call for the lifting of the blockade. The cycle of violence has to be broken, which calls for different approaches by all concerned. In this regard, we welcome the report by the Independent Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza conflict. The situation in the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, is also of deep concern. The continued fragmentation of Palestine through settlement activities and movement and access restrictions undermine Palestinian livelihoods and deprive the Palestinians of their basic human rights.”
2015-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7490 (2015) · source
“I thank the New Zealand presidency for convening this important debate, and the Special Coordinator for his insightful briefing. Iceland reiterates its strong conviction that the only path to peace between Israel and Palestine is the two- State solution. But both sides need to commit fully to the two- State solution, and they must refrain from actions that undermine the viability of the only solution that will bring peace. Israeli leaders have yet to dispel, by actions on the ground, the very serious doubt cast on their commitment to the two-State solution during the pre-election period. Indeed, acts on the ground continue to be very damaging to the chances of peace; there is little letup in the expansion of Israeli settlements and the expropriation of land in Palestine, a clear breach of international law.”
2015-07-23 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.7490 (2015) · source