Remarks by Tánaiste Micheál Martin at the UN Security Council

Speech to be delivered at 21.30 (Irish time) on Wednesday 25 September

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Thank you Mr President for convening us today.

We meet at a dangerous moment.

I am deeply concerned about spiralling violence in the Middle East.

The scale of death, destruction and unimaginable human suffering in Gaza is truly horrific and completely unacceptable.

Israel’s response to the Hamas attack has been completely disproportionate.

The violence must stop now.

We urgently need a ceasefire and hostage release deal, followed by a massive surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

This must be the priority.

Instead, we are seeing the extension of conflict, in the West Bank and now into Lebanon.

This reckless escalation is deeply alarming.

I am appalled at surging settler violence in the West Bank and the ongoing efforts to undermine the Palestinian Authority.

This must stop.

I condemn Hezbollah for its attacks on Israel and its malign role in Lebanon and the region.

But massive and indiscriminate airstrikes on densely populated areas in Lebanon are resulting in a shocking loss of life.

In my view, this violates International Humanitarian Law.

These attacks are on a sovereign state and UN member.

Israel has an obligation to abide by International Humanitarian Law.

I call on it to do so.

And I call on all parties to exercise restraint.

Over many years UNIFIL has played an invaluable role in Lebanon. There are contingents from many countries here today, including 350 Irish troops. I pay tribute to all UN peacekeepers facing such a dangerous situation.

A regional war would be disastrous, including for Israel.

We must step back from the brink before it is too late.

The only viable path to lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians is a two-State solution.

While I am under no illusions as to the challenges ahead, last week’s adoption by the General Assembly of a Resolution on the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice is a step in the right direction.

Mr President,

Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine is a threat to European and global security.

A permanent member of this Council is seeking to change borders by force.

It is weaponising food, energy and migration.

It is defying the UN Charter, undermining the multilateral system, and this very Council itself.

There cannot be impunity for such wholesale breaches of international law.

Ireland stands in full solidarity with Ukraine.

We will work for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace, based on the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and Ukraine’s Peace Formula.

Mr President,

The situation in Sudan is appalling.

12 million people forced from their homes.

Widespread reports of horrendous abuses against civilians, particularly women and girls.

The scourge of hunger and famine.

We need to speak with one voice: to demand a ceasefire, humanitarian access, protection of civilians, and accountability for human rights abuses.

We also need to see external actors behave responsibly and cease their involvement and support for the conflict.

To do whatever it takes to pressure the parties to come back to the negotiating table, and bring to an end this destructive cycle of violence.

In conclusion, Mr President,

In these and so many other conflicts, we see the obligations of international law cast aside.

We see serious violations of international law go unanswered, and international crimes go unpunished.

We see a lack of accountability leading to a culture of impunity.

And we see resolutions of this Council left un-enforced.

We have spoken a lot about the future this week, and adopted the Pact for the Future.

What we need is political will now.

For leaders to speak out: to protect multilateralism and the UN Charter.

If we fail to do so, we condemn this generation and the next to a very uncertain future.

Thank you.