- As delivered -

Thank you very much Mr President, and thank you to the Special Coordinator for his briefing today.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the European Union.

The EU is worried by the deteriorating situation on the ground and increased violence in the occupied West Bank, which fuel tensions and animosity, and calls the parties for efforts to de-escalate and end this vicious circle of violence in which everyone will lose. As the Special Coordinator has told this Council, 2022 saw most Palestinian casualties in the West Bank in years.

The EU reaffirms its commitment to a just and comprehensive resolution of the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict, based on the two‑state solution, with the State of Israel and an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign, and viable State of Palestine, living side-by-side in peace and security and mutual recognition, and with Jerusalem serving as the future capital of both states.

Furthermore, the EU will seek to encourage and build upon the recent establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel and a number of Arab countries, with a view to enhancing the prospects to reach a comprehensive settlement in the Middle East Peace Process.

We note that the Security Council convened an emergency briefing on 5 January to address developments at the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem.  The EU recalls the special significance of the holy sites, and calls for upholding the status quo put in place in 1967 for the Temple Mount / al‑Haram al-Sharif in line with previous understandings and with respect to Jordan's special role. Underlining the necessity to respect the status quo also for the Christian holy sites, which are under increasing pressure, the EU reiterates the importance of maintaining peaceful coexistence of all three monotheistic religions. The EU will closely monitor developments and their implications on the ground, and remains ready to contribute further to the protection and the viability of the two‑state solution.

Mr President,

The EU reiterates its strong support to the ICJ as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The EU recalls that compliance with IHL and international human rights law by states and non‑state actors, including accountability, is a cornerstone for peace and security in the region. I note the 16 January I note the 16 January statement by a number of UN Member States including a majority of EU Member States, concerning measures taken by Israel following the request by the General Assembly of an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice.

Recalling that settlements are illegal under international law, constitute an obstacle to peace and threaten to make a two state solution impossible, the EU reiterates its strong opposition to Israel's settlement policy and actions taken in this context, such as building the separation barrier beyond the 1967 line, demolitions and confiscation - including of EU funded projects - evictions, forced transfers including of Bedouins, illegal outposts and restrictions of movement and access. Such actions as evictions, forced transfers, including in Masafer Yatta, demolitions, including of EU funded projects, and confiscations of homes will only escalate an already tense environment. The EU will not recognise changes to the 1967 lines, unless agreed by the parties. We call on Israel to halt continued settlement expansion, which have reached record highs in the past years, evictions, demolitions and forced transfers.

The EU firmly condemns recent terror attacks in Israel, as well as all forms of terrorism and remains committed to the prevention and fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

We strongly condemns the indiscriminate launching of rockets by Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other terrorist groups into Israel. We deplore the loss of civilian lives during the escalation of violence in and around Gaza in August 2022 and we call on all parties to take necessary steps to produce a fundamental change to the political, security and economic situation in the Gaza Strip, including the end of the closure and a full opening of the crossing points, while addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns.

The EU will continue to call upon the Palestinian Authority to hold free, transparent, and inclusive national elections without further delay. It urges all Palestinian factions to engage in good faith in the reconciliation process, to adhere to previous agreements, renounce violence and terrorism, and recognise Israel’s right to exist and to commit to democratic principles, including the rule of law. Democratic Palestinian institutions based on respect for the rule of law and human rights are vital for the Palestinian people, and, ultimately, for the two-state solution.

Palestinian civil society must be allowed by all parties to carry out its important task freely, while freedom of expression must be upheld. The EU recalls the need to hold those responsible for the death of Nizar Banat accountable. The EU is proud of its continued support to civil society that contributes to peace efforts and confidence building between Israelis and Palestinians.  We call on Israel to refrain from any action that would prevent these organisations from continuing their critical human rights, humanitarian and development work in the occupied Palestinian territory. Anti-terrorism legislation should not be used to undermine civil society and their valuable work and contributions to the pursuit of accountability.

The EU welcomes measures to improve Palestinian livelihoods, and calls for implementation of the commitments made at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting in New York in September.

Until there is a just, fair, agreed and realistic solution to the refugee issue in accordance with international law, UNRWA remains crucial for providing the necessary protection and essential services for Palestine refugees, supporting peace and stability in the region. The EU will continue to support UNRWA in all its fields of operations, including in East Jerusalem and we call on others to do the same.

Mr President,

Allow me to turn to the situation in Syria. 

To this day, a genuine and inclusive political solution to the conflict in Syria based on the full and comprehensive implementation of UNSCR 2254 with the full, equal and meaningful participation of women and in line with the 2012 Geneva Communiqué remains the only route to sustainable peace in Syria.

After more than a decade of conflict, it remains essential that the international community continue to pursue a sustainable and comprehensible political solution and the European Union  stands firm in its commitment towards this goal, supporting the continuous efforts of UN Special Envoy Pedersen to advance on all aspects of UNSCR 2254, including his “steps‑for‑steps” approach in furthering the political process and resuming the work of the Constitutional Committee.

We reiterate again that no normalisation, lifting of sanctions or reconstruction will be possible until the Syrian regime engages in a credible sustainable and inclusive political transition, in the framework of UNSCR 2254.

It must also fully cooperate with the OPCW and its investigations on the use of chemical weapons in the conflict, including the attack in Douma, as well as on the completion of the dismantling of its chemical weapons programme. The EU, as a member of the International Partnership against impunity for the use of chemical weapons, will continue to work towards ensuring full accountability in this regard.

Mr. President,

Accountability and justice for victims is essential for a stable, peaceful Syria. All parties responsible for breaches of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights law must be held accountable. We reiterate out call to have the situation in Syria referred to the International Criminal Court.

In the absence of international processes for justice, the prosecution of war crimes and other serious crimes under national jurisdiction where possible, now under way in several EU Member States, represents a crucial contribution towards securing justice, as does the Dutch‑Canadian initiative to hold Syria to account for breaching the UN Convention Against Torture.

We will continue to support efforts to gather evidence with a view to future legal action, including by the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria and the work of the Commission of Inquiry.

The EU is fully committed to the fate of the missing and we will look positively into proposals of a new mechanism to support the families of missing people as proposed in the report of the UN Secretary-General “Missing people in the Syrian Arab Republic” on how to bolster efforts to clarify the fate of missing people in Syria and identify human remains.

Civilians must be protected at all times. The EU echoes the calls made by the Security Council for the implementation of a nationwide ceasefire.

We recall that the underlying causes of the refugee and displacement crisis must be addressed under UNSCR 2254. The EU continues to warn against any further displacements in any part of Syria, as well as against the potential exploitation of such displacements for the purpose of social and demographic engineering. Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries are still unable to go back home as the conditions for safe, dignified and voluntary return, in line with the parameters defined by UNHCR and in accordance with international law, are not fulfilled yet. It is the responsibility of the Syrian regime to remove these obstacles. The EU will only be in a position to support returns once these conditions are satisfied.

The EU commends Syria’s neighbouring countries for hosting large numbers of refugees for more than a decade and calls on all leaders to avoid divisive rhetoric. At the same time, Türkiye’s security concerns stemming from northern Syria need to be addressed through political and diplomatic means, and in full respect for international humanitarian law.

The EU and its Member States are the largest donor and have provided EUR 27.4 billion to meet the needs arising from the Syrian crisis since 2011, including over €4.8 billion at the sixth Brussels Conference.

Humanitarian needs in Syria continue to increase: 90 percent of Syrians live under the poverty line and 55 percent of the population, are food insecure. There is now an estimated 15.3 million people in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria, 700,000 more than in 2022. We will continue to demonstrate solidarity with the Syrian people and calls on the international community, in particular regional donors, to increase their commitments.  

Mr President,

Finally, we welcome the unanimous adoption of UNSC Resolution 2672 under your Presidency, mandating the continuation of UN cross-border assistance to Syria. However, humanitarian actors would have needed a mandate of at least 12 months and the opening of a second crossing point to ensure more satisfactory delivery of humanitarian aid to the population.  We fully supports the Secretary-General’s and Emergency Relief Coordinator’s repeated calls for more access. Uninterrupted delivery of UN cross-border humanitarian assistance remains vital for over 4 million Syrians living in north-west Syria, including 2.8 million internally displaced. Their lives depend on this assistance. The EU will continue to advocate for all parties to depoliticise and allow unimpeded and continued delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need

Early recovery projects are important to support resilience, community capacity-building and self-reliance of the Syrian people and for their future. EU-funded projects are intended and designed for those in genuine need and to strengthen the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the humanitarian response. The EU will not fund early recovery efforts that could support social and demographic engineering.

Mr President,

Let me reiterate once more: the EU remains committed to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the Syrian state, and will continue to call on all parties to the conflict, particularly the Syrian regime, to advance a credible sustainable and inclusive political solution based on the full and comprehensive implementation of UNSCR 2254 as the only route to sustainable peace in Syria and the way for Syria to become once again the united, sovereign, prosperous and free country we all want to see.

Thank you very much.