21 March 2025
I would like to start by thanking Special Coordinator Kaag for your very detailed and insightful report
Denmark deplores the breakdown of the ceasefire and the subsequent resumption of the Israeli airstrikes and renewed ground operations in Gaza with further devastation for the civilian population.
We deeply regret the death of a UNOPS staff member and five UNRWA staff and echo the Secretary General’s condemnation of all attacks on UN personnel.
Denmark stands firm call in our call for immediate and unconditional release of the hostages and for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
We call on Israel to live up to its obligations under international law, including the resumption of unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Colleagues,
In December 2016, this Council came together to adopt Resolution 2334. That decision, borne of the collective and urgent desire to further the two-state solution, offered hope. Hope for a just and lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike.
Today, more eight years later, the path to two state solution is threatened more than ever. It is threatened in particular by four compounding and converging developments.
Firstly, the conflict brought on by Hamas’ terror attack on 7 October 2023 and the divisions it has deepened.
Second, the largest displacement of civilians in the West Bank since 1967 – a result of the security situation and the Israeli military operation in the northern West Bank.
Third, a weakening of the two pillars of stability in the West Bank – UNRWA and the Palestinian Authority.
And finally, the topic of today’s briefing: settlements.
And let there be no doubt.
Settlements, which are in clear violation of international law, also undermine prospects for a two-state solution. Their development robs Palestinians of their land, pushes them into isolated enclaves, making it virtually impossible to form a connected and viable land for a future Palestinian state.
In 2024, we saw more rapid expansion of settlements in the West Bank than ever before. This includes the establishment of more than 50 new outposts. Eight of these in Area B – the first establishments in this area since the Oslo Accords.
Reading these reports, of zones, area classifications and constructions, it can almost sound like a technical issue. But in fact, settlements cause serious, lasting hardship and suffering. The reality is:
Palestinian families are ordered from their land.
They are left watching as their homes are demolished.
They may return again during the night to rebuild their homes, only to see them demolished again.
These families are then faced with an impossible choice. Stay, and tolerate the intolerable. Or leave, and permanently lose their land.
We once again call on Israel to immediately halt all settlement expansion on Palestinian land. Any unilateral attempt to change the demography of the occupied Palestinian territories is unacceptable and constitutes a clear violation of international law.
According to the ICJ, policies, practices or other measures that seek to bring the occupied territory under Israel’s permanent control constitute acts of annexation contrary to international law.
Some settlements come about through settler violence in which we have seen an alarming escalation – with very little accountability.
We are deeply concerned by reports that the Israeli military often cooperates with settlers, including by sending troops to escort settlers and sometimes joining in efforts to expel Palestinian residents.
This is unacceptable and it must stop now.
We remind Israel of its responsibility as the occupying power for abuses committed by security forces as well as its nationals. We call on Israel to hold these settlers to account. In the EU, we have imposed sanctions on extremist settlers.
International scrutiny of these violations continues to be hindered, if the UN system and other actors are refused visas and thereby unable to exercise their functions including independent reporting.
Colleagues, let me be clear. Denmark remains firmly committed to Israel’s security. That is why we cannot let the two-state solution disappear before our eyes.
We have the frameworks. What is needed is implementation.
Full implementation of Resolution 2334 and other relevant resolutions.
Full respect for the advisory opinions of the ICJ.
A resumption of the ceasefire and release of all hostages.
Reform and revitalization of the Palestinian Authority.
In short, we need to create the conditions for the realisation of the two-state solution.
Israelis and Palestinians deserve a just and lasting peace now. Around this table, we must do everything in our power to support that.