Statement: The Situation in the Middle East
Statement by H.E. Ms. Anna Johannsdottir,
Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations
United Nations Security Council
9907th Meeting (Resumed): The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
30 April, 2025
Mr. President,
As we meet here today, Gaza is a place of death and destruction, with everything reduced to ruins. The population of two million is desperate and hungry. Many have been repeatedly displaced.
The short-lived ceasefire in Gaza brought cautious hope and provided an opportunity to bring in urgently needed humanitarian aid. Several hostages were finally freed. During the ceasefire, we saw how aid can and should be delivered to those in need. In the almost two months since it ended, the delivery of aid has been brought to a complete stop again.
The situation is unbearable, unacceptable, and has been stripped of any sense of humanity.
The Gaza Strip is likely facing its worst humanitarian crisis ever.
Meanwhile, the West Bank has experienced the heaviest military infiltration by Israeli troops for over twenty years. This has resulted in forty thousand Palestinians being displaced within the West Bank. Settler violence continues to be emboldened by radicalism and state-sanctioned impunity.
We commend Egypt, Qatar, the US and other actors who continue to push for peace and are working hard on securing another ceasefire.
Any such plan requires leaders on both sides of the conflict to rise above their own self-serving, self-preserving interests, for the benefit of their peoples.
Mr. President,
Iceland reiterates its call for the immediate and unhindered humanitarian access in line with international humanitarian law. All hostages still in captivity should be released immediately and unconditionally. International law must be respected by all parties. It is incomprehensible how the basic principles of international humanitarian law can be so blatantly broken, including Israel’s repeated and deliberate targeting of humanitarian workers.
Furthermore, we agree with Secretary-General Guterres when he warned that in search for solutions to the conflict; “it is vital to stay true to the bedrock of international law” and importantly “it is essential to avoid any form of ethnic cleansing.”
Iceland has repeatedly voiced its concerns over the Israeli legislation against UNRWA, including actions against UN premises in East Jerusalem. We have been clear: Israel as the occupying power has a legal obligation to ensure the wellbeing of civilians under its occupation. This includes securing the continuation of education, health and other services if the law is fully implemented and UNRWA operations are terminated.
Mr. President,
There is no other way out then a hard stop to the indiscriminate violence, terrorism and occupation. No way out of this vicious, self-destructive spiral, for either Israelis or Palestinians, except through a sustainable, two-state peace plan.
Iceland appreciates the work of the Coalition for the Implementation of the Two-State solution. We also look forward to the upcoming high-level conference on the two-state solution, to be held in June. The international community must refocus its attention on the issue if there is to be hope for a peaceful resolution. As must the two sides to the conflict.
The people of Palestine and Israel deserve nothing less than living in peace and security – side by side – in sovereign states, mutually recognized by each other and us all.
I thank you.