We must urgently restore a political prospect to implement the two-state solution [fr]

Thank you, Mr. President,

I would like to thank Tor Wennesland and Major General Gauchat for their briefings.

Mr. President,

The catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza should not lead us to forget that Israeli settlement policy is continuing and even accelerating in the West Bank. France reiterates its strong condemnation of this illegal policy under international law, which contravenes several resolutions of this Council, notably Resolution 2334. We remind Israel of its obligations under international law, particularly Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

France will never recognize the illegal annexation of territories, nor the legalization of unauthorized outposts. We reiterate our condemnation of the Israeli decision on the 6th of December to authorize the building of 1800 new housing units in the settlements of East Jerusalem. We also strongly condemn the measures of expropriation notified to some Palestinian families on the 10th of December in the Old City of Jerusalem. These decisions undermine the possibility of establishing a viable and contiguous Palestinian state in the future. They threaten the prospect of a two-state solution with both Jerusalem as its capital.

Today’s priority is to immediately halt these unilateral measures.

France recalls that Resolution 2334 also relates to the implementation of differentiation by States between the territory of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories. In line with its obligations, the European Union ensures its strict implementation.

We strongly condemn the violence committed by extremist settlers in the West Bank, who terrorize Palestinian communities. This must immediately cease, and the perpetrators must be held accountable.

Israel’s inability to protect Palestinians and to prosecute extremist settlers has led to an environment of almost total impunity, in which violence committed by settlers has reached unprecedented heights. This situation compromises the security of the West Bank and the region, and threatens the prospects for a sustainable peace.

On the 15th of December, France, with the United Kingdom, Switzerland and eleven other States, recalled Israel’s obligation, as the Occupying power, to protect Palestinian civilians in the West Bank. We call on the Israeli authorities to bring the perpetrators of violence to justice. We cannot accept these abuses, which deprive Palestinians of their rights and their land, as the French Minister of Foreign Affairs recalled during her visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories on the weekend. She also announced that measures would be taken.

Mr. President,

We must urgently restore a political prospect to implement the two-state solution. The France Foreign Affairs Minister reaffirmed France’s solidarity with the Israeli people, and its commitment to Israel’s security during her visit. I recall our strongest possible condemnation of the sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated by Hamas on the 7th of October.

We call for a new, immediate and lasting humanitarian truce, which must lead to a permanent ceasefire, to obtain the release of all hostages held by Hamas, and to provide the people of Gaza with the aid they urgently need. We recall the urgent need for all parties to fully comply with international humanitarian law. France deplores the death of thousands of Palestinian civilians and condemns the bombing of a building in Rafah, which led to the death of an agent of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, as well as many other civilians. We call on the Israeli authorities to shed full light on the circumstances of this bombing.

Mr. President,

A resumption of the political process is essential. We must work towards building a state for the Palestinians. And the Palestinian Authority has a key role to play in this process, both in the West Bank and in Gaza, which should be part of this Palestinian state. France is actively engaging in this regard, with the parties and with all its regional and international partners. As we have seen, the conflict in Gaza is already having repercussions in the region.

We must avoid a regional conflagration, as our Minister recalled in Lebanon yesterday. France calls on all parties to show responsibility. The stability of southern Lebanon needs full respect for Resolution 1701 by all parties.

Finally, France strongly condemns the Houthi attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea. It will continue to mobilize to ensure maritime safety in the region and preserve freedom of navigation. We welcome the Security Council’s unanimity on this issue.

Thank you.