24 January - Statement to UN Security Council - Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

New York

Permanent Mission address: 150 East 42 Street, Level 33, New York, New York 10017 - Telephone: 1 212 351 6600 - Fax: 1 212 351 6610

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Tuesday 24 January

The Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question

Statement by H.E. Philippa King
Ambassador and Chargé d’Affaires
of Australia to the United Nations

Mr President,

Thank you for convening this important debate at a critical time for the region. I wish to also thank Assistant-Secretary-General Fernandez-Taranco for his briefing this morning.

One year on from the dramatic events in Tunisia, then Egypt, Libya and other countries in the Middle East, the outlook for the region is both one of encouraging progress and situations of continuing concern.

Australia will continue to actively support the historic process of democratic transition underway in the Middle East and North Africa in 2012. Elections are an important step in this process, including in Egypt where strong participation rates in Egypt’s first elections from November last year underscored the will of the people to act on their legitimate aspirations for freedom and democracy.

During this period of profound political change in the Middle East it is imperative for the future stability of the region that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved. The rapidly changing geo-politics of the region present a new opportunity for reaching an enduring peace agreement. However, if this opportunity is not seized and positive steps towards a conclusion of the peace process are not made soon, the prospects of a lasting settlement will become increasingly remote.

Australia has consistently supported a negotiated two-state solution that allows a secure Israel to live side-by-side with a secure and independent Palestinian state. As a friend of Israel, we recognise Israel’s legitimate security concerns. And as a friend of the Palestinian people, we support the them realising their right of self-determination through their own state.

We commend ongoing efforts by the Quartet to promote a resumption of direct negotiations. We also commend and encourage the efforts of Jordan under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II to bring the two parties together for the first time since late 2010. And we greatly welcome the recent activity of the UN Secretary-General in support of the peace process, including during his recent visit to Lebanon and through his forthcoming visit elsewhere in the region - visits which are occurring at a critical juncture and which provide all parties an important opportunity to advance the cause of peace.

We urge both sides to build on these initiatives and move forward to substantive negotiations urgently and without delay. To achieve this, both sides must demonstrate they are serious about resuming negotiations in accordance with the Quartet’s statement of 23 September 2011, including by refraining from provocative actions which undermine the prospects of achieving a two-state solution. This includes the expansion of Israeli settlements and outposts in the West Bank and East Jerusalem – which the Australian Government has called on Israel to end. Violence of any kind targeting civilians must also cease. And, while recognising Israel’s legitimate security concerns, more must be done to ease the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

We applaud the efforts of the Palestinian leadership in building the necessary economic and institutional base for statehood. Australia’s five year funding plan of over $300 million is evidence of our strong support for this endeavour. Now it is clear that this institution building must be matched by political progress towards peace, by both sides.

Mr President

We continue to support the work of the Arab League in assisting positive transformation in the Arab world. This includes its efforts to end the bloodshed in Syria. The continuing violence in Syria is appalling; since the violence began in March last year, the death toll has passed 5000 according to estimates by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We urge the Syrian regime to stop its brutality and to implement credible political reforms, including genuine dialogue with opposition groups in accordance with the Arab League Plan of Action. And we urge members of the UN Security Council to discharge their responsibility to deal with the violence in Syria promptly and expeditiously.

Mr President,

To conclude, the Middle East remains a region confronted by both challenges and opportunities. We have common interests in securing durable peace and stability and in satisfying the legitimate aspirations of the people of the region for practical reform and economic opportunity. It is imperative that the Council, regional actors and other engaged members of the international community take urgent, positive steps towards realising these goals.

Thank you Mr President.