Madame President,

We thank you for convening this open debate. We welcome the briefings by Special Coordinator and the civil society representatives.

As we listened to these briefings, we reflected on the fact that it has been 75 years since the United Nations accepted the responsibility of finding a solution for the Palestine issue.

Three-quarters of a century and no solution. For all intents and purposes, nothing has changed. Except for one thing: our attitude towards the Palestinian question.

We no longer debate a political solution to this enduring conflict. We speak only of the peace, in theory.

The Security Council has lost its ambition. As we saw last Spring, the conflict only comes to the fore when there is an escalation. Messages of restraint replaced calls for lasting peace. This is not good enough. The normalization of the occupation is simply unacceptable.


Madame President,

We condemn all unilateral steps, including arbitrary arrests, illegal settlements, forced evictions, the demolition of houses and the attempts to change the status of Jerusalem and Haram Al-Sharif.

Such actions are detrimental to the prospect of a two-state solution.

We note the decision of the Israeli government to halt plans for illegal settlements in Atarot, and postpone the construction of an illegal settlement in the West Bank’s E-1 area to an unknown date. These are indeed steps in the right direction.

Sadly, Israel’s decision to list six Palestinian civil society organizations is a prime example of one step forward, three steps back.

This constitutes yet another violation of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. We expect this decision to be revoked immediately.


Madame President,

We firmly believe that the intra-Palestinian reconciliation process is integral to seeding peace in the region.

Türkiye will continue to support unity among the Palestinian parties, and we urge other Member States to do so as well. Furthermore, the international community should support the Palestinian economy.

To this end, we thank Norway for hosting the Ad-Hoc Liaison Committee meeting last November.

This alone, however, is not enough. Millions of Palestine refugees rely on the lifesaving assistance of UNRWA. It is essential that these services continue to be provided in a sustainable, uninterrupted manner.

Türkiye will continue to support UNRWA’s vital work - both financially and politically.


Madame President,

It should not matter on which side of the border a child is born. Their lives are equally important. And they should have equal opportunities to fulfil their potential. No child should have their future stolen because of an accident of birth.

The Palestine-Israel conflict is not a frozen conflict. And nor should it be treated as one.

Türkiye remains ambitious. And we will continue to support the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Returning to the path of peace negotiations is a priority. To this end, the work of the Quartet must be revitalised. We must work towards the two-state vision now.

We hope that today’s open debate rouses those who have grown tired of the Palestinian question. Because we assure you, the people of Palestine are far more tired than any of us. And they deserve better than what we have done for them thus far.

Thank you.