November 25, 2024
Thank you, Madam President. And thank you, Deputy Coordinator Hadi, for your briefing.
The United States remains opposed to proposals to annex the West Bank or construct Israeli settlements in Gaza – which, if implemented, would be inconsistent with international law, sow the seeds of further instability, and create new obstacles to Israel’s full integration into the region.
We are also deeply concerned by increasing extremist settler violence in the West Bank.
Recent incidents include those in Jurat Al Khiel, near Hebron, where Palestinians were attacked by scores of extremist settlers who damaged property, assaulted civilians, and released dogs to attack residents.
In the Palestinian village of Jalud, south of Nablus, dozens of extremist settlers reportedly killed livestock, attacked homes, and set fire to vehicles.
We are concerned increased attacks also are preventing Palestinians from harvesting their olive crops.
Beyond causing intense suffering for Palestinians, these attacks threaten Israel’s security, make the realization of a two-state solution more difficult, and undermine the prospects for regional peace and stability.
The Government of Israel must deter extremist settler violence and protect all communities from harm. This includes intervening in, preventing, and stopping attacks.
We urge the relevant authorities to do everything possible to de-escalate tensions and hold all perpetrators of violence accountable – no matter the background of the perpetrator or victim.
Since February, the United States has sought to promote accountability by imposing sanctions on 17 individuals and 16 entities for their actions to undermine peace, security, and stability in the West Bank.
Just last week, we sanctioned three entities and three individuals for their roles in violence targeting civilians or in the destruction or dispossession of property.
Among these designated entities is Amana, the largest organization involved in settlement and illegal outpost development in the West Bank, and its subsidiary Binyanei Bar Amana.
Amana has established dozens of illegal settler outposts and directly engaged in dispossession of private land owned by Palestinians in its support of settlers.
As Secretary of Defense Austin made clear to his Israeli counterpart, we are also concerned about Israel’s decision to stop using administrative detention orders against settlers suspected of attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.
We will continue to use all tools at our disposal to promote accountability for those who further destabilize conditions in the West Bank and support extremist violence.
Moreover, we recognize that the West Bank’s economic stability is also critical to Israeli and regional security.
For that reason, the United States strongly urges that Israel extend correspondent banking services by at least one year to prevent economic collapse in the West Bank – which not only jeopardizes Israel’s security but also regional stability.
Colleagues, we’ve discussed Gaza at length, and so let me simply reiterate: the United States is doing everything possible to end the war in a way that secures the release of the hostages, surges humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians, and ensures Israel’s security.
The Security Council has an obligation not to let Hamas off the hook. Not after the misery, death, and destruction they sparked 13 months ago.
Hamas has cynically demonstrated that it prefers the war continue, including by rejecting multiple ceasefire offers and other formulas that would bring much-needed relief to Palestinian civilians desperate for an end to the fighting.
We must not cave into Hamas’ demands or allow it to dictate the course of events. Rather, we must increase pressure on Hamas to implement Resolution 2735 without condition and without delay.
Toward that end, the United States last week imposed additional sanctions on Hamas political leaders and fundraisers.
At the same time, Israel must take more steps to facilitate the humanitarian access and the sustained delivery of aid at scale; to restore the flow of commercial goods; and to address persistent lawlessness that prevents aid from reaching Palestinians in Gaza.
It’s abhorrent that criminal gangs have been allowed to loot humanitarian assistance for their own ends. They are taking food and medicine out of the hands of Palestinian civilians, including children.
Only after we reach a ceasefire agreement with hostage release consistent with Resolution 2735 will it be possible to chart a new path forward in Gaza that enables Palestinians to rebuild their lives free from Hamas’ tyranny.
As we have stressed, the UN is not the problem. Rather, it’s part of the solution, and we join other Council members in recognizing the risk and sacrifices UN staff are making daily to deliver aid.
It’s vital that Israel and relevant UN entities find productive and proactive solutions, including on regarding UNRWA, so they can get more life-saving assistance delivered to people in need.
At the same time, the United States fundamentally rejects the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials.
We have been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter. And we are deeply concerned by the Prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants, as well as troubling process errors that led to this decision.
Moreover, this decision does not make the pursuit of peace any easier.
We have an opportunity for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians. But only if we pressure Hamas. And only if we do not waver in our commitment to a two-state solution.
The United States will continue to support diplomacy on the ground, and to encourage steps to alleviate the tremendous suffering of Palestinian civilians in Gaza who did not start this conflict and are relying on all of us to help end it.
Thank you, Madam President.