During address at the Councils Meeting in new york. The address is about 15 minutes. , their incredible bravery, their dedication, all of those who continue to serve in some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable, we express our gratitude and our admiration. I am here today because the United States believes that the united nations, and this counsel, in particular, has a crucial role to play in addressing this crisis. Indeed. We put forward a resolution that sets out practical steps that we can take together toward that end. The resolution builds on many elements of the text that result before it last week. And incorporates feedback that we receive from fellow councilmembers over recent days. It also draws heavilys on the views that i heard firsthand from partners across the region after hamas appalling attack on october 7. Few that the United States shares. First, we all recognize the right and the imperative for states to defend themselves against terrorism. Thats why we must unequivocally condemn hamas barbaric terrorist attack against israel. Babies riddled with bullets, young people hunted down and gunned down with glee. People, young people beheaded. Families burned alive in a final embrace. Parents executed in front of their children, children executed in front of their parents, and so many taken hostage in gaza. We have to ask, indeed it must be asked, where is the outrage, where is the revulsion, where is the rejection, where is the explicit condemnation of these orders . We must affirm the right of any nation to defend itself and to prevent such horror from repeating itself. No member of this counsel, no nation in this entire body could or would tolerate the slaughter of its people. As this counsel in the uns General Assembly have repeatedly affirmed all acts of terrorism are unlawful and unjustifiable. They are unlawful and unjustifiable whether they target people in nairobi are bali, eastham bowl or mumbai. In new york, or the unlawful and unjustifiable, whether they are carried out by isis, by alshabaab, or by hamas. They are unlawful and unjustifiable whether victims are targeted for their faith, their ethnicity, their nationality or any other reason. This counsel has a responsibility to denounce Member States that arm, defund and train hamas, or any other terrorist group that carries out such horrific acts. Lets not forget that among the more than 1400 people that hamas killed on october 7, citizens of more than 30 u. N. Member states, including many of the Members Around this table. The victims included at least 33 american citizens. Every one of us has a stake, everyone of us has a responsibility in defeating terrorism. Second, we all agree on the vital need to protect civilians. As President Biden has made clear from the outside of this crisis, while israel has the right, the obligation to defend itself, the way it matters. We know hamas does not represent the Palestinian People and Palestinian Civilians are not to blame for the carnage committed by hamas. Palestinian civilians must be protected. That means hamas must cease using them as human shields. Its hard to think of an act greater. It means israel must take all possible precautions to avoid harm to civilians. It means food, water and medicine and humanitarian assistance must be able to flow into gaza and to the people who need it. It means civilians must be able to get out of harms way. It means humanitarian causes must be considered for these purposes. United states has worked relentlessly to make real these principles. We continue to coordinate closely with egypt, israel and partners across the region. To build mechanisms that will enable sustain humanitarian assistance to flow to civilians in gaza without benefiting hamas or any other terrorist group. President biden appointed one of our most senior diplomats to lead our humanitarian efforts, which he is currently doing on the ground. United states is committed an additional 100 million in humanitarian assistance, and gaza in the west bernanke bringing the total aid we provided to the people in the past two and a half years to more than 1. 6 billion dollars. That makes United States a single country donor, by far, to the Palestinian People. We call on all countries, particularly those with the greatest capacity to give, to join us in meeting the uns appeal for the humanitarian situation in gaza. At the heart of our efforts to save innocent lives in this conflict and in any conflict, is our core belief that every civilian life is equally valuable. There is no hierarchy when it comes to protecting civilian lives. Civilian is a civilian is a civilian, no matter his or her nationality, ethnicity, age, gender, faith, thats why america warrants a loss of every single innocent life in this crisis, including innocent israeli and palestinian women, men, muslim, jews, christians, people of all nationalities and faiths, including at least 35 uns staff members. Thats why its imperative that we work to protect all civilians in this conflict, to prevent more deaths atop many that have already occurred. The value we place on civilian life is the driving force behind our efforts to secure the release of hostages held by hamas and other terrorist groups in gaza. I other have the occasion to meet with families of those missing and suspected to be in the hands of hamas on my recent trip. Several as you know are in this room with us today. None of us, none of us can imagine the nightmare they are living. Something no family should have to endure. Loved ones must be released, immediately, unconditionally, and every member of this counsel, indeed, every member every member of this body should insist on that, insist on that, insist on that. We are grateful to cover to egypt to secure the release of four for moss hostages. But at least 200 more, and again, for many of our nations are still in the grip of hamas. So, again, i implore every member, use your voice, use your influence, use your leverage to secure the unconditional and immediate release. Third, we are all determined to prevent this conflict from spreading. This goes to the principal responsibility of the security council, maintaining International Peace and security. Broader conflict would be devastating. Not only for palestinians and israelis but for people across the region and around the world. To that end, we call on all Member States to send a firm united message to any state or nonstate actor that considers opening another front in this conflict against israel or when they target israels partners, including the United States. Dont throw fuel on the fire. Members of this counsel, and permanent members in particular, have a special responsibility to prevent this conflict from spreading. I look forward to continuing to work with my counterpart from the peoples republic of china to do precisely that when he visits washington later this week. Now, it is no secret to anyone in this room or on this counsel that for years iran has supported hamas, hezbollah, the houthis, and other groups that continue to carry out attacks on israel. Iranian leaders have continued to threaten to wipe israel off the map. In recent weeks irans proxies have repeatedly attacked u. S. Personnel in iraq and syria, Whose Mission is to prevent isis from renewing its rampage. So, let me say this before this counsel. And let me say what weve consistently said to iranian officials through other channels , the United States does not seek conflict with iran, we do not want this war to widen. But, if iran or its proxies attack u. S. Personnel anywhere, make no mistake, we will defend our people, we will defend our security, swiftly and decisively. All of the members of this counsel, if you, like the United States, want to prevent this conflict from spreading, tell iran, tell its proxies, in public, in private, do not open another front against israel in this conflict, do not attack israels partners. And we go a step forward. If iran or its proxies widen this conflict and put more civilians at risk, you, you will hold them accountable. Act is if the security and stability of the entire region and beyond is on the line. Because it is. Fourth and finally, even as we address this crisis, we all agree that we must redouble our collective efforts to build an enduring political solution to the conflict between israelis and palestinians. The only role to lasting peace and security in the region, the only way to break out of this horrific cycle of violence is to states for two people. President biden has underscored from day one. Palestinians deserve equal measures of security, justice, opportunity, dignity. Palestinians of a right to selfdetermination and a status of their own. Now, we have no illusions about how hard it will be to achieve a two state solution, but as President Biden has said, we cannot give up on peace. Indeed, it is precisely in the darkest moments like this one that we have to fight the hardest tube or to have an alternative path. To show people making it real, improving their lives in tangible ways, its possible, indeed, its necessary. Weve heard many countries express for a durable solution. Our message today is this, help us build that solution, help us prevent the spread of war that will make two states in part or and security in the region even harder to achieve. Members of this counsel, we stand at a crossroads, two paths lie before us. The difference between them could not be more stark. One is a path offered by hamas. We know where it leads. Death, destruction, suffering, darkness. The other is the path towards greater peace, greater stability, greater opportunity, greater normalization and integration. A path towards people across the region being able to live to work, to worship, to learn sidebyside. A path towards palestinians realizing their legitimate right to selfdetermination and estate of their own. Nothing would be a greater victory for hamas then allowing its brutality to send us down its path for terrorism, a nihilism. We must not let it. Hamas does not get to choose for us. The United States stands ready to work with anyone is ready to forge a more peaceful and secure future for the region. The future that the people yearn for and so deserve. Thank you, mr. President. He radio and television corresponded association is hosting its annual dinner wednesday to award journalists for their coverage of the nuary 6 Committee Investigation and on t gund reporting of the russian invasion of ukraine. The event will also inud entertainment by comedian tyler fisher tcthe dinner live starting at 7 30 p. M. Eastern on the free cspan now video app. Or online at cspan. Org. Cspans campaign 2024 coverage your front row seat to the president ial election. Watch as we follow candidates on the campaign trail with meet and greets, speeches ande