Today's Date:

Speech by France's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Security Council

I would like to thank Ms Angela Kane for her briefing. I also wish to associate myself with the statement to be delivered shortly by the representative of Finland on behalf of the European Union.

I would first like to express my country's sorrow at the news of the terrible events of recent days that have taken the lives of so many Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, especially yesterday's occurrence at Beit Hanoun. On behalf of the Government of France, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the Palestinian victims. France would like to see light shed on the circumstances surrounding that attack as soon as possible. It will be up to the Secretary-General to set out the parameters for an eventual independent inquiry. We join the Secretary-General in calling on Israel to immediately put an end to its military operations in the Gaza Strip.

More generally speaking, France would like to reiterate its condemnation of indiscriminate Israeli artillery fire into populated areas. Those actions, which endanger civilian populations and constitute a violation of international humanitarian law, especially the Geneva Conventions, must end. Israel's legitimate right to self-defence on behalf of its citizens must be exercised in full respect for international humanitarian law.

France also condemns the firing of rockets into Israeli territory, as well as the appeal of certain armed Palestinian groups for a resumption of suicide attacks. The Palestinian Authority has the duty to maintain law and order and combat terrorism. We would like to reiterate our support for the efforts of President Abbas to strengthen national Palestinian consensus and to form a Government whose political platform would reflect the principles of the Quartet and of the peace process.

As the Minister for Foreign Affairs said here in September, there is no military solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict. Violence only feeds frustration, resentment and hatred. It also runs the risk of dragging the entire region into a new dangerous escalation. Today more than ever, the two parties must demonstrate a spirit of responsibility and abstain from any action that could further complicate efforts to arrive at a political solution at a time when peace and dialogue should be everyone's objective.

The international community – and the Quartet first and foremost – must become involved without delay in resolving this conflict, which remains central to the region. The tragic escalation of recent days underscores the need for an urgent meeting of the Quartet to follow up the commitments undertaken in New York in September, with a view to reinvigorating the prospects for peace. There is no alternative to the establishment of a viable, democratic and sovereign Palestinian State living in peace and security with Israel.

Given the worrisome growing number of civilian victims in recent months, we wonder about the possibility of possibly putting in place a mechanism to protect the civilian population. We believe that, in collaboration with the Secretary-General, we should collectively consider potential options in that regard. The next meeting of the Quartet may provide an opportunity for that. France, along with its European Union partners, will continue to work towards a comprehensive, just and lasting solution based on Security Council resolutions, the Madrid Conference terms of reference, the principle of land for peace and the Arab peace initiative./.