Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, at the Plenary Debate on the use of the veto during the 9584th meeting of the Security Council Security Council (Middle East, including the Palestinian question), pursuant to resolution 76/262 - April 8th, 2024

We gather once again to address the appalling situation in Gaza and the use of the veto power against proposed actions in the Security Council.

It is with a heavy heart that we recall the repeated failure of the Council to come to an agreement in the face of untold human suffering and extremely serious breaches of international peace and security and ensuing threats.

Yesterday marked six months since the outbreak of the current crisis in Gaza. How differently events could have unfolded, had the opportunities to stop these horrors been seized by the Security Council early on – opportunities such as the draft resolution presented during our presidency of the Council last October. If adopted, thousands of lives and much suffering could have been spared. Once again, we should remind that immediate and decisive action is key to fulfilling the Council’s mission.

Fortunately, Resolution 2728, penned by the E-10 and calling for an immediate ceasefire during Ramadan, could finally be adopted. However, the loss of human life and time until its adoption can never be recovered. And, even now, Resolution 2728 has not been implemented.

Here, let us be very clear: like all others adopted by the Security Council, Resolution 2728 is binding in nature and must be respected and fully implemented by all sides, without further and unacceptable delay.

Mr. President,

We cannot be satisfied with desirable but temporary measures. Just as the Council should have acted back in October, it must act now and go beyond the provisions of Resolution 2728. The situation on the ground is nothing short of catastrophic. The Gaza Strip lies in ruins. The very future and the well-being of entire generations of Gazans truly hang in the balance.

We, therefore, urge Security Council members, in particular its permanent members, to live up to the Council`s grave Charter responsibilities and take meaningful and resolute steps to pave the way for lasting peace in the Middle East, on the basis of the two state solution. They will bear the immense political and moral cost of inaction or delayed and insufficient action.

Thank you.