The UK's Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Rt Hon David Miliband MP, came to New York to discuss the conflict in Gaza at the United Nations Security Council.  With much hard work, tireless diplomatic negotiations and an additional day to the visit, the UK drafted Security Council Resolution was passed with 14 votes.

The UK has recently announced an additional pledge of up to £20 million for humanitarian needs in Gaza, bringing the UK's response to the crisis in Gaza to nearly £27 million. The UK also provides long-term support to the Palestinian people, and in December 2007 pledged £243 million in aid over three years.

Most recent

On 28 December 2008 the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted a press statement in response to the conflict in Gaza and southern Israel.

As the conflict continued, the Security Council gave an even stronger message adopting United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1860 on 8 January 2009.  Resolution 1860, which was drafted and sponsored by the UK, calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza; for unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian supplies, welcomes the opening of humanitarian corridors and seeks greater international support for humanitarian relief and economic development; condemns all violence and hostilities against civilians and acts of terrorism; calls for action to prevent illicit trafficking in arms, and to ensure sustained re-opening of the Gaza crossings on the basis of the 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access; encourages steps toward intra-Palestinian reconciliation and urges renewed and urgent efforts to reinvigorate the Middle East Peace Process (MEPP).  14 UNSC countries voted in favour of adopting this resolution, with only one abstention. Click here to see the UK's explanation of vote by Rt Hon David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

On 15 January and at UK request, the UN Secretariat (Menkerios - Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs) briefed the Security Council in closed consultations on recent events in Gaza, in particular the shelling by Israeli Forces of the UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) compound. Deeply concerned about the recent events, the briefing was proceeded (preceded?) by a statement to the press expressing the Security Council's concern at recent events, including the attack on the UNRWA compound and continued firing of rockets by Hamas; reaffirming UNSCR 1860 and the urgent need for its implementation; and strongly supporting ongoing diplomatic efforts, including by Egypt and the Secretary-General.

In parallel to discussion in the Security Council, on 15 and 16 January an Emergency Special Session was held by the UN General Assembly (UNGA).  The General Assembly adopted resolution a/es-10/l.2, which supported Security Council Resolution 1860, by an overwhelming margin (142 in favour; 4 against; 9 abstentions).

On 21 January, the Secretary-General of the UN, Ban Ki-Moon, briefed the Security Council on his trip to the Middle East.    After the meeting, the Security Council President delivered a press statement on behalf of the Council, based on a joint UK-French draft.  The statement welcomed the cease-fire and emphasised the need for full implementation of resolution 1860 - in particular the need to prevent trafficking in arms and the need to re-open crossings on the basis of the 2005 Movement and Access agreement.  The statement also praised the work being done in very difficult circumstances by UN agencies, took note of the severe damage suffered, and recalled the obligation of parties to a conflict to ensure respect for international humanitarian law.

On 27 January, the Security Council was briefed on the humanitarian situation in Gaza by John Holmes, Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordinator, and by Karen Abu Zayd, UNRWA Commissioner-General.