Statement at the Security Council: The Situation in the Middle East

Statement by H.E. Ms. Anna Johannsdottir,
Permanent Representative of Iceland to the United Nations
United Nations Security Council, 9852nd Meeting
The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question
28 January, 2025

Mr. President,

Thank you for calling this meeting on UNRWA, an issue of urgency and importance.
The long-awaited ceasefire in Gaza is an opportunity – in the short term to bring urgent humanitarian aid, in the longer term to help Palestinians rebuild their lives after nearly a year and a half of a devastating war. 

Gaza has been left in ruins. Most homes and businesses are destroyed. Ground water is seriously polluted. Schools have been turned into emergency shelters and hospitals flattened. Reconstruction will be a mammoth task. We, the international community, have failed the people of Gaza for over a year, especially the children of Gaza. Those who have survived are losing their second school year in a row. We must not fail them again.

We welcome the rapid engagement by OCHA, as well as the swift deployment of aid with more than 5,161 trucks carrying aid in the first eight days after the ceasefire. Some Gazan families can now finally have full rations and three meals a day, as opposed to one bag of flour for the entire month. This is a great improvement, but the humanitarian situation remains precarious. The war has left two million people homeless, without an income and fully dependent on food assistance. 

Several other UN agencies, including UNICEF, UNOPS and UNDP are operating and laying out impressive strategies for further assistance and the rebuilding of Gaza. However, these key UN agencies and programs work hand-in-glove with UNRWA. UNRWA’s know-how, capabilities and experience is unmatched. So is the level of trust the Agency enjoys with Palestine refugees. No other agency can navigate the field as they can and therefore UNRWA is a vital partner for any agency which wishes to have an impact.  

Under these circumstances, a total halt to the operations of UNRWA, the most centrally placed humanitarian organisation responding to the needs of Palestine refugees in the Middle East, will have devastating consequences. 

Israel must allow UNRWA to operate in the humanitarian space and secure its involvement in a transitional process.  Israel as the occupying power has a legal obligation to ensure the wellbeing of civilians in the territory. This includes securing the continuation of education, health and other services beyond the end of this month, when the law takes effect. 

Iceland has repeatedly voiced its concerns over the Israeli legislation against UNRWA and consistently called for respect of international humanitarian law. At the centre of our concern is the wellbeing of the population in Gaza. All parties involved, including the Israeli Authorities, must take a pragmatic approach in order to ensure the provision of urgent humanitarian aid and the rebuilding of infrastructure and communities for the long term. This includes allowing unrestricted movement of UNRWA staff, maintaining the deconfliction of UNRWA installations and allowing the continued access of aid that UNRWA has been distributing in the West Bank and Gaza.

The unilateral action against UNRWA also threatens to undermine any prospect of a two-state solution. The organization has delivered essential services and humanitarian aid under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. The end of its mandate should be a part of a negotiated settlement between the people of Israel and Palestine. 

I thank you.