Statement by H.E. Anna Jóhannsdóttir,
Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations

Tenth Emergency Special Session (resumed) of the UN General Assembly
58th Plenary Meeting, 11 December 2024.
Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied
Arab Territory, Items 5: draft resolutions (A/ES-10/L.32, A/ES-10/L.33)

Mr. President,

The fact that there is still need for us to reconvene this emergency session, more than 14 months into the conflict that broke out following the heinous terrorist attack of 7th of October last year is beyond belief.

The ongoing impasse in the Security Council and its continued failure in protecting the humanitarian system in Gaza, averting further escalation and civilian casualties is – to put it mildly – deeply regrettable.

The violence and the suffering must stop now. A humanitarian catastrophe has unfolded before our eyes. We continue to call on Israel and Hamas to urgently agree to and implement a sustained ceasefire and commend all efforts to try to bring an agreement to fruition. While this ongoing situation continues, we, the international community, are failing close to two million civilians in Gaza, every day.

The people of Palestine and Israel deserve to live in peace and security, in prosperous and democratic societies. They deserve to live without fear of aggression or terrorist attacks. Iceland has friendly and full diplomatic relations with both Israel and Palestine, and we continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and a credible path towards a two-state solution.

Iceland has always been, and continues to be, a strong supporter and advocate for international law and the international system. Iceland persistently condemns violations of international law. We demand accountability for such violations, wherever they take place.

Iceland has consistently condemned in the strongest possible terms the brutal and indiscriminate terrorist attacks by Hamas in October 2023. There can be no justification for terrorism. We have also repeatedly called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

The apparent violations of international humanitarian law in the Gaza conflict are unjustifiable and must end. Too many innocent lives have been lost.

Mr. President,

Given the dire humanitarian needs since the start of the Gaza conflict, Iceland has more than doubled humanitarian assistance and other contributions to the oPt. We announced another additional contribution to UNRWA at the Gaza Ministerial Conference in Cairo on December 2. We would like to stress, however, that without humanitarian access, aid cannot reach those in need.

Desperation, hunger, thirst, diseases and no place of safety; these are the apocalyptic conditions that the Gaza population faces. Under these circumstances, a halt to the operations of UNRWA, the most centrally placed humanitarian organisation responding to the needs of Palestine refugees in the Middle East, would have devastating consequences.

Furthermore, UNRWA is the main provider of education and health services to millions of Palestine refugees and the consequential vacuum in services and humanitarian aid in Gaza, and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, may further destabilise the situation in these areas, in Israel and in the region, and may fundamentally jeopardize the prospects for a two-state solution.

Therefore, Iceland has called for the reconsideration of the recent legislation in the Knesset that, if implemented, may prevent UNRWA from carrying out its critical operations in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. Effectively, UNRWA will no longer be able to fulfil its mandate in the occupied Palestinian territory, a mandate given to it by this august Assembly, its parent organ. It should only be this Assembly that defines it.

We are keenly aware of the importance of holding UN agencies to the highest standards. We welcome the prompt and thorough follow-up action initiated by the United Nations Secretary-General and the UNRWA Commissioner General following serious allegations directed towards some workers of the Agency. We expect its continued implementation, including the recommendations of the Colonna report.

Mr. President,

As I conclude, let me restate the only long-term, sustainable solution to this conflict: A two-state solution, based on international law, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security, and mutual recognition.

There is no better path towards peace and the people of Palestine and Israel deserve nothing less.

I thank you.