The UN Security Council today discussed the still urgent situation in the Middle East in the presence of various ministers. Ambassador Thomas Gürber, Head of the FDFA's UN Division, represented Switzerland. At the beginning of the debate, UN Secretary-General António Guterres appealed to the Security Council that the trend of the increasingly deteriorating situation in the Middle East must be reversed.
Thomas Gürber referred to the Security Council resolution on the protection of children adopted on 15 November. It represents an important first step by the Council in the current conflict and calls on all parties to comply with their obligations under international law and international humanitarian law, particularly with regard to the protection of the civilian population.
Switzerland welcomes the release of the hostages and thanks the states involved for their mediation efforts as well as the ICRC for its role in implementing the hostages’ release. Ambassador Gürber reiterated that Switzerland is calling for the release of all hostages. For this to succeed, humanitarian pauses are important, as called for by the Council in its resolution. Thomas Gürber emphasised that the humanitarian pauses must be extended for this purpose and to provide humanitarian aid to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.
Humanitarian aid is vital, but it is not a sustainable solution to the conflict. Switzerland will continue to work in the Security Council to promote consensus and a political solution to the conflict. The two-state solution, in which the Israeli and Palestinian populations can live side by side in peace, security and dignity, is the only basis for peace and stability in the Middle East.
In addition, Thomas Gürber recalled Switzerland's position on the current conflict in the Council: it strongly condemns the terrorist acts of Hamas since 7 October, recognises Israel's right to ensure its security and defence and calls on all parties to comply with international humanitarian law to protect the civilian population and to allow rapid and unhindered humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
Statement by Switzerland on the situation in the Middle East, UN Security Council, 29.11.2023
