Discorso pronunciato dall’Ambasciatore Sebastiano Cardi, Rappresentante Permanente dell’Italia presso le Nazioni Unite, al Dibattito Aperto in Consiglio di Sicurezza su “La situazione in Medio Oriente, inclusa la questione palestinese” —
Mr. President,
at the outset, please allow me to thank Mr. Mladenov for his briefing today and for his efforts on this issue. Through him, I would also like to commend the essential work carried out by all relevant United Nations entities and staff, both at headquarters level and on the ground.
The Paris conference, to which Italy took part at ministerial level, showed the cohesiveness of the international community in keeping the Middle East peace process high on the world agenda. It also confirmed a widely shared commitment to pursuing the goal of a just and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine, based on the two State solution through direct negotiations.
As indicated by the July 2016 Quartet report and the Security Council resolution 2334, facts on the ground are threatening the viability of the two State formula.
Settlements, which have expanded considerably in the last year, as well as increased demolitions and confiscations of Palestinian projects in the occupied territory, including in East Jerusalem, are dangerously imperilling the viability of the two-State solution based on the 1967 lines.
Settlements are not the only obstacle to peace. Let me underline, in this regard, Italy’s deep concern over the risk of growing terrorist violence and incitement on the ground. The recent motorcar attack in Jerusalem reminded us of the extreme fragility of the situation. Immediate steps are required to prevent those acts, that must be condemned as we did by all Parties, including with active rejection of incitement.
If not properly addressed and reversed, those facts on the ground may deepen the political stalemate and lead, both in Israel and in Palestine, as well as in the region, to growing risks of further hatred, intolerance and violent extremism. The erosion of the two State solution may leave room to a sort of dangerous “One State illusion”, plagued by insecurity and continuous tension. This is not the end state that the International Community has invested so many political and financial resources for, nor it is what Israeli and Palestinian citizens deserve.
The Parties must take substantial steps to demonstrate their genuine commitment to the reestablishment of a political horizon leading to the resumption of direct negotiations, which shall be the aim of every international effort bearing in mind that peace cannot be imposed from the outside.
We then believe that the impact of our endeavor will be measured by our capacity to bring the Parties back to the negotiating table, to defuse mistrust, to clearly highlight the many dividends of peace.
In this vein, I wish to express our appreciation for the work put forward by the outgoing US Administration in the pursuance of a just peace, and we are particularly appreciative of John Kerry’s relentless efforts during his tenure as US Secretary of State. We are confident that the next US Administration will invest the same political capital and deploy the same efforts for a resolution of the conflict based on the two State formula.
Italy appreciates and further encourages the efforts of the Quartet, whose recommendations keep their full validity, and also underscores the importance of the ongoing efforts to advance the Arab Peace Initiative.
Despite some recent encouraging signals, Palestine national reconciliation remains unaccomplished. Let me here underline that the Palestinian reconciliation process is an important element for reaching the two State solution.
Mr. President,
Poverty, high unemployment rates especially among the youth, a persisting stagnation of the economy: all indicators show that the daily life of Palestinians is characterized by countless emergencies. As Minister Alfano recently stated to this Council, only by addressing the root causes of instability can we “build peace for tomorrow”. There are priorities for socio-economic development that are no more deferrable, such as for example access to water and energy resources. This underscores the urgency of dialogue and concrete cooperation in these fields between Israel, Palestine and relevant neighbouring countries, beside and above political considerations.
The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza must be concretely and effectively addressed; the reconstruction of the Strip, the improvement of the living conditions of its people cannot wait any longer.
In this Council and in other relevant fora, Italy is committed to playing its role to finally and fully put in practice the framework outlined in Oslo more than 20 years ago. There is a considerable work to be done to rebuild trust between the Parties, including by the respective civil societies, to rehabilitate the vision of two States, living side by side in peace and security.
I also wish to mention another country that we consider crucial for regional stability, such as Lebanon. Italy welcomes the recent election of President Aoun, and the formation of the Government led by Prime Minister Hariri, with its declared objective to “restore trust”.
In the light of our substantial contingent of peacekeepers within UNIFIL, we remain strongly committed to upholding stability in Lebanon, and we will work within the UN Security Council to ensure the broadest international support to the current, positive cooperation between the Lebanese political forces. UNIFIL’s strategic review is a key opportunity to ensure the effectiveness of the mission, including its essential civilian and maritime components. Weakening them would create dangerous voids.
In this respect, we hope that parliamentary elections in 2017 will mark a significant step forward in strengthening Lebanese democracy and consolidating State institutions. All countries, and especially countries in the region, must shoulder their responsibilities in this regard.
Thank you.
