Cabinet Papers:
Madam President,
We meet, once again, to discuss the use of the veto preventing the Security Council from adopting a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the unrestricted entry of humanitarian assistance to Gaza.
We are shocked by harrowing images of famine in Gaza and by Israeli military actions that can only be described as grossly disproportionate.
Palestinian civilians continue to bear the brunt of Israel’s actions, humanitarian and medical workers continue to be killed, and health facilities and vital infrastructure in Gaza have been almost completely destroyed.
For some time, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has been an utter catastrophe. Palestinian civilians have now endured two appalling and hellish years since this crisis escalated.
We were therefore disappointed that the use of the veto – once again – blocked a renewed effort to achieve a ceasefire and humanitarian access. The need for the Council to act could not be clearer.
Madam President, New Zealand is a long-standing opponent of the use of the veto.
We have actively supported the Veto Initiative from its inception three years ago and remain a strong proponent of Resolution 76/262.
The Security Council’s legitimacy is fundamentally defined by its ability to exercise its responsibility under the UN Charter to maintain international peace and security. The use of the veto deprives the Security Council of that ability and increases the importance of an empowered General Assembly.
Each and every veto impacts on the perception of Council’s legitimacy and, by extension, the United Nations’ broader legitimacy and effectiveness. That is something in which all Member States have a stake.
Despite the Council’s failure to adopt this particular resolution, New Zealand strongly believes the international community must retain its focus on the very urgent and practical challenge of getting as much humanitarian assistance as possible into Gaza.
In support of this objective, we announced a few days’ ago a further significant financial contribution of NZ$10 million for our international humanitarian partners to support their delivery of emergency supplies into Gaza.
We note that the vetoed resolution which led to this meeting also reiterated a demand for the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. This is another point which New Zealand continues to strongly support.
Further, we have repeatedly called for a ceasefire and for Israel to allow vital assistance to flow into Gaza. We strongly reiterate these calls once again – aid must flow and the violence must cease.
To this end, New Zealand welcomed the United States’ announcement earlier this week of a proposed plan to end the conflict in Gaza and we urge the parties to seize the opportunity to fully implement the terms of that proposal.
Thank you.