UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY 10TH EMERGENCY SPECIAL SESSION – ILLEGAL ISRAELI ACTIONS IN OCCUPIED EAST JERUSALEM AND THE REST OF THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
EXPLANATION OF VOTE BY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE TO THE UN, H.E. AMBASSADOR JAMES LARSEN
11 December 2024
As delivered
Thank you President, I will speak to both the resolutions we have considered today.
Although Australia does not agree with everything in the resolution titled ‘Support for the Mandate of UNRWA’, our vote in favour reflects our view that UNRWA must be able to continue its life-saving work.
That’s also why Australia has funded the organisation every year since 1951.
UNRWA provides desperately needed services to civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and across the region.
As the Security Council has said, UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian response to the catastrophic situation in Gaza.
We join the Security Council in expressing grave concern over legislation adopted by the Israeli Knesset.
Limiting UNRWA’s operations will only exacerbate an already-terrible humanitarian crisis.
As stated in this resolution, UNRWA has a responsibility to address any credible allegations, and to ensure accountability for any violations of the Agency’s principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence.
We acknowledge the commitment made by the United Nations Secretary-General and UNRWA to implement fully the recommendations of the Independent Review led by Catherine Colonna.
We call for their accelerated implementation, in line with UNRWA’s commitment to the principle of neutrality.
We note UNRWA’s measures to terminate the employment of UNRWA staff members following the 7 October atrocities carried out by Hamas. Atrocities that should have been unequivocally condemned by this resolution. Any involvement or affiliation with terrorist organisations cannot be tolerated.
Australia will continue to press the United Nations and UNRWA to safeguard the organisation’s neutrality.
Australia reiterates calls for the protection of humanitarian and United Nations personnel, including UNRWA staff, to enable them to perform their lifesaving work.
The best protection for humanitarian personnel, and civilians, is a ceasefire.
Australia will continue to support a strong and robust multilateral system, including the protection of United Nations agencies to do their critical work.
In relation to the resolution entitled 'Demand for Ceasefire in Gaza', I wish to address certain reservations but first I will outline why Australia voted in favour.
First, Australia is committed to working with the international community to end this conflict, to stop the suffering and to immediately and unconditionally to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas.
Tomorrow marks one year since Australia joined 152 other countries in voting for a ceasefire in this assembly. Further delay will only see more lives lost.
Second, this resolution’s demand for ‘full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian assistance to Gaza’ has never been more necessary.
The current situation in Gaza is catastrophic.
The human suffering unbearable.
In Israel’s response to Hamas' atrocities on October 7, more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 13,000 children.
Nearly all of Gaza's 2.1 million people have lost their homes and do not have enough food, water, medicine or shelter.
Third, along with the international community, Australia reiterates our call on all parties to fully comply with international law.
Civilians and humanitarian workers must be protected.
Israel must take urgent action to alleviate this humanitarian crisis, in line with the binding orders of the International Court of Justice.
Fourth, Australia supports this resolution’s unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-state solution.
Because it is the only way out of this terrible cycle of violence.
Fifth, we support this resolution because of its call for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and the urgency of the current crisis.
In terms of reservations, we support the United States proposal for an immediate ceasefire deal with the release of hostages, as endorsed by the United Nations Security Council.
Ceasefires have conditions that parties must agree. This reality should have been reflected in the resolution – the fact it is not, is a shortcoming.
Moreover, Australia remains unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas.
This resolution should have done the same – for their atrocities on 7 October that left 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 200 hostages taken, and all their acts of terror.
Australia repeats our demand for Hamas to release all hostages immediately and unconditionally.
Hamas must lay down their arms. There can be no role for terrorists in the future governance of Gaza.
Finally, President - Australia continues to give careful consideration to the International Court of Justice’s conclusions in its Advisory Opinion.
Our vote is not determinative of Australia’s position on all the conclusions in that opinion, including those recalled in this resolution.
Thank you, President.