Ministry Statements & Speeches:
Mr. President,
New Zealand supported this Resolution after careful consideration. We did so because we support a two-state solution and because we support international law.
The Israel/Palestinian conflict has gone on for too long. The suffering it has led to on both sides is immense. Its broader destabilising impact on the region is profound. The effects are felt as far away as New Zealand.
The only way to end the conflict is the two-state solution. Both sides need to return to negotiations to achieve this.
This resolution, though not perfect, sets the international community’s expectations that both parties must move towards a negotiated settlement. We hope the passage of this Resolution will provide impetus to the parties to reengage in negotiations.
The 12-month timeframe set out in the Resolution for Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian Territory is frankly unrealistic. A two-state solution needs to be the product of negotiations. Aspirations need to be tempered by realism, given the complexities to be addressed.
However, in the next 12 months we expect Israel to take meaningful steps towards compliance with international law, particularly through withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian Territory.
We would also expect the Palestinian Authority to take meaningful steps to assume political and security control of the occupied Territory.
We are strong supporters of the International Court of Justice. The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion aligns with New Zealand’s long-standing view that Israel’s conduct in the occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful.
However, we are disappointed that, in some cases, the Resolution goes beyond what was envisaged in the Advisory Opinion.
Although the Resolution does not impose obligations on New Zealand beyond any already existing under international law, New Zealand stands ready to implement any measures adopted by the UN Security Council.
New Zealand will continue to impose travel bans against extremist settlers and others involved in violations of international humanitarian law, as we deem appropriate.
Thank you.