Madam President,
I would also like to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari for his briefing and for his cooperation over the past two years. We have also taken good note of Mr. Michael Knights’ statement.
Madam President,
The escalation of violence we have witnessed in recent days must stop. The rate of Houthi drone and missile attacks on Israel has increased dramatically. One, we heard, destroyed a school building in Ramat Gan, and another hit a playground in a residential area of Jaffa. Several people were injured. Israeli air strikes - notably on the civilian airport in Sanaa, the port and energy infrastructure in Hodeïda, Salif d'Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib, and the oil infrastructure in Ras Issa - left several dead and wounded, including a crew member of UNHAS. Fortunately, the WHO Director-General's delegation, which was also at the airport, escaped unharmed. International law requires the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel, as recalled in resolution 2730. Not everyone has been lucky enough to escape danger in recent weeks. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. Switzerland strongly condemns this spiral of violence. Recent statements on both sides of the Red Sea, expressing a logic of war and vengeance, are extremely worrying. Switzerland calls on all parties to respect international law and exercise restraint.
A new regional escalation can and must be avoided. The international order provides us with the necessary tools to prevent a worsening of the crisis and protect the population. I would like to highlight three of them, which are of crucial importance.
Firstly, Switzerland calls for the strictest respect for international law. The rules of the United Nations Charter provide us with a clear framework. The use of force must be strictly limited to the necessary and proportional exercise of self-defense. In armed conflict, the key principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution must guide all military actions. The civilian population and infrastructure are protected and must never be targeted. These principles are not abstractions – they are legal obligations. In Yemen, they take on a particularly concrete and urgent meaning. The country's economic, food and health situation is catastrophic. Port, air and energy infrastructures, already weakened by years of conflict, are essential to the survival of millions of civilians. Attacks that jeopardize these infrastructures put their lives in danger and further widen the humanitarian abyss. These attacks also endanger humanitarian personnel and their vital activities. I repeat that international law obliges the protection of humanitarian and UN personnel, including national and locally recruited staff, as reaffirmed by Resolution 2730.We call for the immediate and unconditional release of the humanitarian and UN personnel still detained in Sana'a. In Israel, the civilian population must not be subjected to indiscriminate attacks, including the destruction of civilian infrastructure such as schools.
Secondly, the arms embargo established by resolution 2216 must be respected. It is an essential tool for limiting arms proliferation in an already destabilized region. Arms, whether smuggled or trafficked, are an aggravating factor in the conflict. This Council, supported by the work of the 2140 Sanctions Committee, is responsible for ensuring the strict application of this embargo. This committee must consider any potential violation of the embargo with due diligence, and support its implementation as best it can.
Thirdly, Switzerland calls for a return to dialogue. At this critical juncture, it is crucial to make the choice of diplomacy. Only restraint, de-escalation and a return to dialogue will guarantee peace and regional stability. Whether in the Red Sea, Yemen or the Middle East, the only viable path is that of a political solution. The cessation of attacks in Yemen, Israel and Syria, as well as a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, are of crucial importance. In Yemen, an inclusive, Yemeni-led political solution, under the aegis of the United Nations, remains the best way to put an end to the dynamic of violence that has been tearing the country apart for several years. The regional situation must not be instrumentalized by any party for short-term political gain. The parties involved, and those with influence over them, must refrain from any rhetoric or action that could exacerbate tensions.
Madam President,
We are deeply concerned by the events of the last few days. This Council must urgently contribute to a diplomatic solution, and speak with one voice to avoid another deadly chapter in the regional conflagration whose civilian populations continue to pay a heavy price. While Switzerland is stepping down as an elected member of this Council, it will continue to work for the respect of international law and the protection of civilians, everywhere and at all times. We will be counting on the members of the Security Council to do the same.
And as this is probably our last meeting, I would also like to extend my warmest thanks to all our colleagues, to all the members of this Council, to SCAD and its director and teams, to the interpreters, to the security staff, and of course to my fantastic team. I would like to thank the American delegation for the December Presidency, and I wish all the members of this Council, and the Council itself, a little more peace next year, so that it can help save future generations from the scourge of war.
Thank you.