Statement by the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See United Nations Security Council

Open Debate on “The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”

New York, 24 January 2024

Mr. President,

Pope Francis, in his recent Address to Members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, expressed once again his deep concern about the ongoing war. He reiterated the condemnation of the 7 October terrorist attack against the Israeli people in which a large number of innocent persons, including women and children, were “horribly wounded, tortured, and murdered, and many taken hostage.”[1] The Pope clearly stated: “I renew my condemnation of this act and of every instance of terrorism and extremism. This is not the way to resolve disputes between peoples” and once again called for “the immediate liberation of all hostages held in Gaza.”[2]

At the same time, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for a ceasefire on every front, including Lebanon, which would allow space for dialogue, however difficult it may be, in order to secure the release of the hostages still being held in Gaza and to facilitate the distribution of much-needed humanitarian aid. Indeed, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is of extreme gravity, affecting innocent civilians, and causing unimaginable suffering, withmore than 20,000 people killed and nearly two million people displaced.

As the Holy See has already stated in this Council, it is essential to avoid an entire population paying the consequences of a heinous act of terrorism. Furthermore, any action taken in self-defense must be guided by the principles of distinction and proportionality, and comply with international humanitarian law. It is deplorable that hospitals, schools and places of worship, all of which are a last resort for those fleeing the violence in Gaza, are being used for military purposes and consequently attacked. Such military activity by all parties must cease and these sites must be guaranteed the protection accorded to them under international humanitarian law.

Pope Francis has therefore called for a “greater effort on the part of the international community to defend and implement humanitarian law, which seems to be the only way to ensure the defense of human dignity in situations of warfare.”[3]

Mr. President,

In Israel and in Palestine, as in every other part of the world, “every human being, be they Christian, Jewish, Muslim, of any people or religion, is sacred, precious in the eyes of God, and has the right to live in peace.”[4]

The most viable solution for achieving lasting peace remains the two-State solution, “with internationally guaranteed special status for the City of Jerusalem.”[5] It is vital that the international community, together with the leaders of the State of Palestine and the State of Israel, pursue such a solution with renewed determination at a time of widespread despair and hostility, so that “humanity may prevail over hardness of heart.”[6]

Thank you, Mr. President.

[1] Pope Francis, Address to Members of the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Holy See, 8 January 2024.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Pope Francis, Angelus, 12 November 2023.

[5] Pope Francis, Address to Members of the Diplomatic Corps Accredited to the Holy See, 8 January 2024.

[6] Pope Francis, Angelus, 12 November 2023.