Appreciating the humanitarian relief efforts of the United Nations and its agencies operating in Gaza – Letter from Libya, Chair of the Arab Group for November 2023

28 November 2023

Letter dated 28 November 2023 from the Permanent Representative of Libya to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council

In my capacity as the Chair of the Arab Group for the month of November 2023, I write to convey the Group’s profound concern regarding the continuous attacks on the United Nations and its officials by Israeli senior officials and diplomats, including during several recent Security Council sessions. The incessant attacks on high-ranking United Nations officials, notably the Secretary-General, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, the Director General of the World Health Organization, the Executive Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), must cease immediately. Such attacks undermine the efforts of the United Nations and its agencies, casting doubt on their integrity and effectiveness.

Furthermore, the unfounded allegations and assaults by Israeli officials and diplomats purport to compromise the ability of the United Nations and its officials to fulfil their functions and duties, posing a direct threat to the safety and security of United Nations staff, not only in Gaza and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory but also in all United Nations operations. Such attacks aim to intimidate United Nations officials and coerce United Nations agencies into deviating from their mission of advocating peace and support for innocent people affected by Israel’s war on the people of Gaza.

We are especially concerned about the targeted attacks on the Executive Director of UN-Women, with a focused campaign against her since the Security Council session on 22 November 2023, and also the attack against the Executive Director of UNICEF after her briefing to the Council. The Group stands in solidarity with both Executive Directors and their United Nations colleagues against this systematic campaign.

The Group seizes this opportunity to applaud the efforts of the United Nations and its agencies operating in Gaza for their role in mitigating the hardships faced by the people of Gaza during the dire humanitarian situation and for providing them with access to food, medicine and basic necessities for survival.

It is imperative that these attacks towards the United Nations and its agencies and officials cease, so as to safeguard the integrity and effectiveness of the Organization in fulfilling its vital role on the international stage. The urgent attention of the Security Council to this matter is requested.

I would be grateful if the present letter could be circulated as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Taher Elsonni

Ambassador

Permanent Representative