The Netherlands’ explanation of the vote at the United Nations 4th Committee, 11 December 2024
Explanation of the vote by the Netherlands on the vote during the UNGA Emergency Special Session on Gaza on Wednesday 11 December 2024.
Mr./Mrs. President,
I thank you for convening today’s ESS and I have the honour to deliver this explanation of vote on the resolution on the demand for ceasefire in Gaza and the resolution on UNRWA on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The Netherlands aligns itself with the EU statement.
Mr. / Mrs. President,
It has been more than a year since the atrocious attacks by Hamas on 7 October 2023; to our grave concern the prospects remain bleak. The conflict that unfolded after the attacks is still ongoing, the fate of many of the hostages is still uncertain, and the suffering of the people in Gaza is worsening every day.
A year has passed and still more than a 100 people are held hostage. For more than 400 days their families have been living in greatest fear for their loved ones. In this light, the Kingdom of the Netherlands reiterates that the end of this horrific war must be linked to the release of these hostages. We call for an immediate ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the unimpeded delivery of sufficient humanitarian aid to those in need.
Concerns about UNRWA should be addressed and recommendations on the neutrality of UNRWA from the Colonna Report need to be implemented. Nonetheless restricting the work of UNRWA in a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs will negatively impact the already worrying situation in the region and especially in Gaza. We urge Israel to carefully consider its international obligations and the impact on the ground before taking further action. The ban on UNRWA poses a concern for the ability to deliver humanitarian aid to people in need in Gaza.
Therefore, the Netherlands supports most of what is stated in the resolution tabled here today on UNRWA. Nevertheless, at this moment, the continuity of humanitarian aid delivery is too reliant on the implementing capacity of one organization. While supporting the mandate of UNRWA in providing basic services in the region and thereby contributing to stability, we will therefore abstain from voting.
The Netherlands will continue to provide humanitarian assistance through various channels, and we support efforts to further diversify the humanitarian landscape in Gaza to better guarantee that humanitarian aid can reach those in need.
Today we also reaffirm our long-standing commitment to pursuing accountability for international crimes and other violations of international law, committed by any of the parties in the conflict. We strongly believe that pushing for justice promotes a shared sense of hope, commitment and duty. The Kingdom of the Netherlands welcomes the request to the Secretary-General to present proposals on how the United Nations could help advance accountability, and underlines the importance that existing and possible new mechanisms should reinforce and complement each other.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands has therefore voted in favour on the resolution on the Ceasefire in Gaza in front of us today, and abstained on the UNRWA resolution.
Mr. / Mrs. President,
I thank you.