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QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL ON RESOLUTION 2334
STATEMENT BY MR. JÉRÔME BONNAFONT,
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED NATIONS
TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL
(TRANSLATED FROM FRENCH)
Madam President,
I would like to begin by thanking the Deputy Special Coordinator, Mr. Ramiz Alakbarov, as well as the representatives of civil society, Dr. Itay Epshtain and Ms. Mariam Barghouti, for their clear, precise, and highly enlightening presentations
A few days ago, the Council met to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza, and that was an opportunity for the Permanent Mission of France to reiterate, among other things, our demand for the disarmament of Hamas—which has no place in the governance of Gaza—and for Israel to comply with its own obligations pursuant to resolution 2803
But today, our Council is meeting to review the implementation of Resolution 2334, adopted ten years ago
Resolution 2334 is clear: Israel’s establishment of settlements in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal basis. It constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and a major obstacle to the two-State solution. Israel must immediately and completely cease all settlement activities
Yet, ten years after its adoption, the trends that this resolution was intended to stamp out have continued and even accelerated at an unprecedented pace. Israel is pursuing a process of de facto annexation of occupied Palestinian territories and the forced displacement of their populations. France is staunchly opposed to this
Madam President,
Four trends are of concern:
The first is the acceleration of settlement activity and the advancement of the E1 project. Its implementation would cut the West Bank in two and deal an irreversible blow to the territorial contiguity and integrity of the Palestinian State. Companies must be aware of the legal, economic, and reputational risks of participating in the construction of such projects, including the risk of violating international law
Second, the escalation of settler violence, in a climate of impunity. These attacks aim to displace Palestinians, destroy their property, and accelerate settlement expansion. Israel, as the occupying power, has an obligation to protect the Palestinian civilian population and bring the perpetrators to justice
Third, incitement towards these acts through the rhetoric and initiatives of Israeli officials, such as Minister Smotrich, who advocates for the annexation of the West Bank, the expansion of settlements, the recolonization of Gaza, and the collapse of the Palestinian Authority. This conduct is irresponsible and incompatible with the prospects for a lasting peace
Fourth, Israel’s deliberate weakening of the Palestinian Authority. The withholding of $5 billion in tax revenues undermines its institutions, which, on the contrary, must be strengthened and legitimized. Aing its responsibilities remains essential to any credible political prospect
Madam President,
Resolution 2334 calls for measures to reverse negative trends on the ground and to preserve the possibility of a two-State solution. France is taking concrete action in this regard:
At the European level and with its partners, France has adopted new sanctions against those responsible for violent settlement activity. France stands ready to support new proposals should these actions continue. France is actively working within the European Union to strengthen the policy of differentiation and the restrictions applicable to products from the settlements, in accordance with Resolution 2334 and the ICJ’s advisory opinion of July 2024
At the national level, we have prohibited Ministers Ben Gvir and Smotrich, as well as several violent settlers, from entering French territory. France is ready to take further measures if necessary
Madam President,
The situation in the West Bank cannot be separated from that of Gaza, both of which are integral parts of Palestine. The drive towards annexation and the blocking of humanitarian aid are undermining the progress made possible by the ceasefire agreement, the peace plan, Resolution 2803, and the New York Declaration. They fuel the humanitarian catastrophe and regional instability and threaten Israel’s very security. We call for the full implementation of Resolution 2803—which includes, among other things, the disarmament of Hamas and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Developments on the ground must not lead this Council to abandon the political objective. On the contrary, they make our collective mobilization all the more urgent to preserve the two-State solution and guarantee both the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the security of Israel, in accordance with the New York Declaration. France will continue to work towards this end
Thank you
Dernière modification : 29/06/2026
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