Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, at the UNSC meeting on The situation the Middle East, including the Palestinian question - November 28th, 2022

Mister President,        

We have been following with distress the recent escalation of violence in the region. Brazil strongly condemns the November 23 terrorist attacks on bus stops in Jerusalem and expresses solidarity to the families of the victims. We are alarmed with the high number of civilians killed and injured in the region throughout 2022, including many Israeli and Palestinian children.    

Mounting violence continues to be exacerbated by provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric. Brazil urges all parties to maintain the ceasefire and to exercise maximum restraint. We renew our call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure - and to abide by all legal and moral obligations to spare children from the consequences of hostilities. Acts of terrorism are never justifiable and must immediately halt.        

Brazil also remains very concerned that places of worship have, on repeated occasions, turned into battlegrounds. We stress that the safety and security of religious sites is an essential component of freedom of religion or belief, and should be preserved and respected.       

Mister President,        

Brazil thanks the Special Coordinator for his comprehensive briefing. We agree that the fragility of the situation underscores the urgency of changing dynamics on the ground while addressing the underlying security and political issues that are fueling the current instability. Concerted efforts are needed to restore a political horizon and resume meaningful negotiations.

Brazil remains convinced that a two State solution, within the framework of international law and the resolutions of the Council, is still the only way to meet the aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians, ensuring the security of all. But we need to work together towards this goal, instead of moving away from it. All actions that reduce the possibilities of achieving this objective must be rethought.   

UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini recently recalled that desperation mounts when people, especially the youth, are confronted with poverty, unemployment, and a general lack of prospect. That may bring serious destabilizing effects to the region.       

The recent outbreaks of cholera in camps are just another consequence of the deteriorating conditions on the ground. In Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, over 80 percent live below the poverty line. Brazil echoes the calls for renewed efforts to restore UNRWA`s capabilities so that it continues to deliver assistance and services in this moment of crisis. The stabilization role of the Agency to the region should not be undermined.     

We also stress the importance of international cooperation in assisting Palestinian authorities in their efforts to build stronger institutions and to foster economic growth. This will not only improve people’s lives, but may also contribute to intra-Palestinian reconciliation, which is a crucial step towards stabilization and resumption of a genuine dialogue.       

In concluding, Brazil once more thanks Mr. Wennesland for his continued efforts to de-escalate tensions throughout repeated cycles of violence in 2022. We urgently need to find ways to break those terrible cycles and promote an effective process towards sustainable peace in the region.