Admission of Palestine to the UN: explanation of (…)

ADMISSION OF PALESTINE TO THE UN

EXPLANATION OF VOTE

INTERVENTION BY MRS NATHALIE BROADHURST,

DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF France TO THE UNITED NATIONS, CHARGE D’AFFAIRES

TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL

New York, April 18, 2024

Mister President,

France thanks Algeria for proposing this resolution, in favor of which it voted.

It is time to achieve a comprehensive political settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, based on the two-state solution, the only one capable of meeting Israel’s long-term security needs, as well as the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians to one state. As the President of the Republic recalled, France has no taboo on this issue.

It is in this context, at the initiative of Algeria, that we are in favor of raising the status of Palestine at the UN and its admission as a full member.

This admission should allow the resumption of a decisive and irreversible process to implement the two-State solution and the strengthening of the Palestinian Authority in the Palestinian Territories, in Gaza and in the West Bank. It must be able to effectively and efficiently exercise its responsibilities across all the territories of a future Palestinian state.

The conflict in Gaza, triggered by the terrorist attack by Hamas and other terrorist groups on October 7, which we condemn in the strongest terms, shows how essential it is for the Security Council to resolutely engage towards a political resolution of the conflict, while further strengthening its action on the humanitarian aspect.

We therefore continue to demand an immediate and lasting ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all the hostages.

We also continue to demand full and unhindered humanitarian access for massive shipments of humanitarian aid to bring relief to the civilian populations of Gaza.

We remain convinced of the central role that the Security Council must play. This is why we proposed a draft resolution addressing all aspects of the crisis. We will continue to commit to this perspective and call on all members of this Council to support our text.

Thank you.