ESPEN BARTH EIDE, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Norway, stressed that, for the first time in 79 years, there is a major inter-State war in Europe. “In its war of aggression against Ukraine, Russia is in blatant violation of the very essence of the Charter”, he said, adding that his country stands by Ukraine and wants peace.  But, it must be a just peace, in line with the key principles of the UN Charter.  “An unjust peace would imply that we, once again, are living in a world where might makes right and where borders can be changed by force,” he emphasized, recalling that even wars have rules, embodied in the Geneva Conventions.  Pointing to these rules, he said:  “It is equally important that we speak out if our traditional friends violate them.”

Turning to Hamas’ heinous terror attack on Israel in 2023, he condemned it and underscored that Israel has a right to defend itself against terrorism.  “At the same time, Israel, like any other State, is bound by international humanitarian law,” he continued, recalling that much of Gaza has been turned into rubble and at least 41,000 people have been killed, with many more injured.  Since Norway was among the very first Western countries to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and has expressed great concern about the severe limitations on humanitarian access and the shocking number of UN staff, aid workers and journalists killed, he emphasized:  “We stood on UNRWA’s side when it was subjected to smear and defamation.” Pointing out that, in the West Bank, illegal Israeli settlements are expanding at an alarming pace and Lebanon has seen its deadliest days in decades, he warned about the brink of a major regional war.

He then spotlighted Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to the Assembly the day before, observing:  “His core message was that we all have to choose — either we are with Israel or we are with Iran and its proxies.  We have seen this film before.  I didn't like the ending.”  He referred to the events in New York 22 years ago, when, “in response to the terrorist attacks on this very city, another leader stated that we were either with him or with the terrorists”.  He called on those States that have not yet has done so to recognize the State of Palestine and to allow it to become a full member of the UN.  He also reiterated his country’s support for Security Council reform.  “Both permanent and elected seats should be added and the historical injustice to Africa should be mended,” he said, adding that the use of the veto should be limited rather than expanded.  Emphasizing that central to the Pact of the Future are robust commitments to gender equality and women's rights, he concluded:  “When a new Secretary-General shall be elected, we must ensure that she has the tools she needs to help us strategically deliver the noble goals we have agreed upon.”