Statement by H.E. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes at the UN Security Council, 29 June 2026 on the Situation in the Middle East
29 June 2026
Thank you, Madam President,
I thank Deputy Special Coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov for his briefing and the CSO representatives Itay Epshtain and Mariam Barghoutiis for their informative contributions.
The Secretary‑General’s quarterly report on the implementation of Security Council resolution 2334 vividly depicts the bleak picture. The human rights, humanitarian and security situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, continues to severely deteriorate. Israel’s accelerating settlement expansion, including in the E1 area, coupled with entrenchment of its civil authority and administrative control deliberately fragments the West Bank and undermines the viability of the two-state solution.
Increasingly the Palestinian families are being forcefully and unlawfully evicted from their homes, properties being demolished to make way for new settlements, which are illegal under international law, and for settlement outposts, which are also illegal under Israeli law.
The annexation narrative, as well as the glorification of violence, expressed by some leaders and government officials are unacceptable. They additionally create a breeding ground for extremism and greater polarization.
At today’s briefing, we heard once again the devastating toll of Palestinian civilians.
These are not just numbers. Every life lost, whether Palestinian or Israeli, represents a human tragedy, leaving behind families and communities burdened by immense suffering, grief and loss. Across the West Bank, expanded checkpoints and roadblocks continue to make it increasingly difficult for the Palestinians to access their workplaces and basic services, including schools and hospitals. It is unacceptable that humanitarian aid workers and life-saving services on multiple occasions have been hindered from reaching those in need.
We have witnessed deeply alarming access restrictions to the Holy Sites in Jerusalem during Ramadan, Passover, and Easter, the expropriation of land containing places of worship and the recent arson attacks targeting mosques north of Ramallah. Israel has to respect the historic status quo arrangements governing the Holy Sites in Jerusalem. Protection and safety of all religious communities must be ensured.
We strongly condemn violent settler attacks and forcible displacement and annexation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. We call on Israel to ensure accountability for the committed assaults and killings, stop the settlement policy, fully respect all of its legal obligations and prior commitments, and abide by international law and Security Council resolutions, including resolution 2334.
Madam President,
A just and lasting peace requires that Gaza and the West Bank be treated as one unified entity, governed in the future by a single, legitimate and reformed Palestinian Authority. The measures applied to prolong the Palestinian Authority’s fiscal crisis and destabilise the Palestinian economy are deeply concerning.
We call on Israel to ensure that the Palestinian banking sector can operate unobstructed and to release withheld tax revenues for the Palestinian Authority to be able to meet its budgetary obligations, pay public sector salaries and provide essential services. At the same time, the Palestinian Authority must take responsibility for fulfilling its commitments it has undertaken and continue comprehensive institutional and societal reform agenda, addressing radicalization while ensuring safe and dignified living conditions for Palestinians.
We commend the Board of Peace and the mediators for their efforts in advancing the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Plan, put forward by President Trump and endorsed by the Security Council in resolution 2803. All parties must abide by the commitments they have made. In order to end the harm to the people of Gaza and any further security threats to Israel, Hamas and other non-state armed groups must accept the road map for monitored and verified disarmament and relinquish power.
There can be no sustainable peace or stability while armed groups continue to operate outside legitimate governance structures and pursue violence as a political tool. The Gaza ceasefire must be fully respected, and the so-called “yellow line” demarcation must be pulled back to where it was upon reaching the ceasefire agreement. The deployment of the ISF and the Palestinian police, and the early recovery of Gaza through the work of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza are much awaited.
Unimpeded humanitarian access at scale must be ensured to the civilian population in Gaza urgently and unconditionally, in accordance with international humanitarian law.
And finally, Madam President,
A political solution, encompassing Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is the only way to a sustained peace, based on the two-State solution, as defined by Security Council resolutions and the New York Declaration. Addressing the security and the legitimate aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians requires renewed momentum in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and genuine engagement by all parties. Latvia reaffirms its commitment to this shared objective.
I thank you.