Middle East (S/PV.7096)

Following a short introduction from the Secretary-General, this open debate (and its resumed session later in the afternoon) focused upon the negotiations and

developing situations in Israel/Palestine, the crisis in Syria in advance of the Geneva II talks scheduled for later in the week, the spillover of the Syrian conflict into

Lebanon and Iraq, and other associated developments.

There were sporadic references to women, peace and security in this open debate, largely confined to the crisis in Syria. Encouragingly, though, many countries

stressed the need for women’s full and effective participation in peace negotiations and the political transition in Syria (Luxembourg, Australia, Lithuania, Chile,

United Kingdom, European Union, Norway, South Africa). Others noted pervasive repression and violence against women occurring within Syria, including within

refugee camps (Luxembourg, Nigeria), and concern for impeded access of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, including women and children

(Rwanda, Qatar, Ukraine). Brazil also called for the release of those arbitrarily detained, in particular women and children.

Outside of Syria, there were several references to Israel’s maltreatment of Palestinians, including women and children (Syria, Iran), and the effects of the Gaza

blockade upon the Palestinian people, especially women and children (Tunisia). Israel offered its own account of treating women as equal rights holders, and

responded to Iran’s claims by highlighting Iran’s denial of women’s basic rights.

Understandably, there was a great deal of emphasis placed upon the Syrian crisis and its Geneva II negotiations, as the negotiations were scheduled to take place a

few days after the open debate. Nevertheless, the women, peace and security agenda received virtually no attention within discussions of the other country situations

raised in this debate (Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Iraq), outside of some finger-pointing between Israel, Iran and Syria. Therefore, opportunities were missed to

address women’s critical role in conflict resolution, mediation and peacebuilding in the negotiated talks between Israel and Palestine, in the political stalemate within

Lebanon, and in the national dialogue and broader political processes in Iraq. There is also minimal reference to women’s protection and assistance needs outside of

Syria.

In relation to the most recent MAP on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question (August 2013), there is no reference to women’s role in the

Israel/Palestine peace process, and minimal consideration is given to women and girls protection needs in Israel/Palestine (except for comments from Syria, Iran

and Tunisia). However, in response to the MAP on Syria (January 2014), there is some focused attention given to women’s political participation, to continuing

human rights violations, and to impeded humanitarian access, but there is no mention of women, peace and security in the context of Lebanon or Iraq.

The previous meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, S/PV.7084, offered no mention of women, peace and security

concerns. However, that meeting was a briefing, and not an open debate, so is difficult to compare (especially given that this open debate did not include a thorough

briefing). The previous open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, S/PV.7047, was similar in its sporadic and

country-specific references to women, peace and security, and such remarks largely concentrated on the needs of women and children in Syria. However, given the

holding of the Geneva II talks this week, Member and participant States in the current open debate placed much greater emphasis upon women’s participatory role

in peace negotiations, and not only as citizens in need of protection.