Statement by Ambassador Jerry Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, during the Security Council meeting on the Situation in the Middle East - Syrian Golan Heights
27 March 2019
Mr President,
We thank you for calling this meeting at this important juncture, particularly following the recent developments regarding the Syrian Golan Heights.
I would also like to thank Under Secretary-General Lacroix and Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo for their briefings on this matter.
Mr President,
South Africa is deeply concerned about the recent decision by a member of this Council to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Syrian Golan Heights. This unilateral action does nothing to assist in finding a long-term peaceful solution to the conflict on the Middle East.
The UN Security Council has adopted numerous resolutions, including 242 of 1967 and 497 of 1981, calling for Israel to relinquish its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights and other occupied territory. Yet, in 2019, we are still discussing Israel’s violations of the Council’s decisions in the Chamber of the Security Council.
Resolution 497 of 1981 declares that Israeli annexation of the Syrian Golan Heights is “null and void and without international legal effect”. Israel’s continued occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights is thus evidence if it’s continued violation of international law.
Mr President,
The recent decision by a member of this Council to recognise Israel’s sovereignty over the Syrian Golan Heights is a blatant violation of international and the Security Council resolutions previously mentioned. South Africa, along with other members of the international community, rejects this unilateral decision.
This decision marks the failure of the Council to take action against the continued violations of its resolutions and the inability of the international community to resolve this protracted conflict.
Israel has continued to defy international law in its attempt to alter the facts on the ground by the construction of settlements, appropriation of water resources and expelling the Arab occupants from their land.
Mr President,
In conclusion, my delegation would like to note that if this Council was dealing with another country on its agenda and such flagrant violations occurred, there would be no hesitation to act. Yet, on this matter, we allow the violations to persist with impunity and thereby undermine the Council’s credibility which highlight its double standards.
We support the call for all parties to work towards a just and durable peace. Only through a comprehensive peace settlement in the Middle East that addresses the Syrian and Lebanese tracks as well, would this just and durable peace prevail.
I thank you.
Rev. Thursday, 28-Mar-2019 9:29 AM