UNSC members convene following ICJ’s preliminary injunction against Israel
The UN Security Council held a meeting to discuss interim injunction decisions by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), allegations against employees of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), and the suspension of funds by certain countries. The meeting was called for by Algeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Amar Bendjama, who strongly condemned the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Bendjama emphasized the urgency for the UNSC to implement the ICJ’s interim injunction decisions and called for a ceasefire to allow for their enforcement. He criticized those who oppose the ceasefire, equating their stance to allowing the continued loss of innocent lives.
US Permanent Representative to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield expressed the necessity for honesty regarding the ICJ’s demands, stating that the court did not call for an immediate ceasefire. She also addressed the unfounded allegations of genocide against Israel and described the suspension of UNRWA funds as a “wake-up call” rather than a punishment.
Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, raised concerns about the impact of the conflict on Palestinian civilians, questioning whether there is a target on the head of every Palestinian child, woman, and man.
Britain’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Barbara Woodward, stressed the importance of respecting the ICJ’s authority to determine whether genocide has occurred. She also noted the necessity of providing more aid to Gaza and releasing prisoners as ruled by the court.
China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Zhang Jun, highlighted the urgent need to protect civilians in Gaza and called for diplomatic efforts to intensify international peace conference discussions. He urged the countries that suspended their funds to UNRWA to reconsider their decisions.
Riyad Mansur, Palestine’s Permanent Representative to the UN, emphasized Israel’s obligation to comply with the ICJ’s interim measures and accused Israel of targeting the UN in an attempt to destroy evidence of its crimes. He also condemned Israel’s refusal to pursue a permanent and just peace, accusing the country of choosing ethnic cleansing and genocide.
The meeting shed light on the complexities of the situation in Gaza and the various perspectives held by members of the UN Security Council. It underscored the challenges in addressing the ongoing conflict and the imperative for diplomatic efforts to achieve peace in the region.
