Thank you, Mr. President.
The United States has issued a response regarding remarks made by the Permanent Representative of Libya during the recent Open Debate on the Middle East at the United Nations Security Council.
In light of Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, the Council has been subjected to a series of negative statements against Israel. The United States highlighted this issue, emphasizing that it reached a significant low point when the Libyan representative referred to civilian deaths in Gaza as a "Holocaust."
"Mr. President, let us be perfectly clear: there is no event in modern history comparable to the Holocaust perpetrated by Nazi Germany. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism is clear that any such comparison is antisemitic because it trivializes the Holocaust and desecrates the deaths of the over six million Jews and millions of others who were systematically murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators," stated the U.S. response.
The U.S. remarked on the need to prevent such comparisons, which they argue perpetuate antisemitism, from being made in the forum.
The response further pointed out a pattern of behavior within the Council, noting, "Unfortunately, grotesque antisemitism is a common feature in this Council’s proceedings. We all sit and watch each week as representatives of certain Member States purposefully avoid sitting next to representatives of the Member State of Israel. We hear constant lies targeting Israel, such as blaming Israel for Palestinian Islamic Jihad rocket attacks, for example, the one that killed and injured hundreds at Al-Ahli Hospital and constant demonization of the Jewish state."
The United States called out these actions, urging Member States to openly acknowledge the actions of Hamas and the misuse of civilian infrastructure.
In conclusion, the U.S. reaffirmed its position, stating, "Mr. President, in conclusion, this antisemitism and anti-Israel bias is beneath the dignity of this Council and should be unacceptable anywhere."
The statement addressed the broader implications of such rhetoric in the context of international relations and cooperation.