Statement by Ambassador Mathu Joyini, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, at the Meeting of the United Nations Security Council, on the situation in the Middle East, 29 May 2024

South Africa wishes to thank you and members of the Security Council for giving us an opportunity to address the Council at this meeting today. The Security Council is convening yet again to discuss the perilous situation in the Middle East. We can remind the members of the Security Council that the situation in Palestine and Israel has been on its agenda for almost as long as this organisation is in existence. We can remind Council members of their Charter mandated role to maintain international peace and security. We can remind Council members that a failure to decisively act to contribute to preventing and stopping wars will result in more people dying, being injured and living in intolerable conditions.