UN Envoy Shalev protests Hamas' 'Shalit show'
UN Envoy Gabriela Shalev slams Hamas' 21st anniversary celebrations; 'As a human being, I was appalled to hear about Gaza rally…150,000 people gathered and cheered for show that mocked Gilad Shalit's misery,' she says
"As a human being – as a mother - I was appalled to hear about a rally that took place in the center of Gaza City," she said adding that "150,000 people gathered and cheered for a show that mocked the misery of Gilad Shalit, the suffering of his family, and the compassion of the people of Israel, and people around the world."
"We expect the international community to do its utmost to bring him home safely," Shalev said. "At this very moment, Corporal Gilad Shalit has remained in Hamas captivity for 910 days and nights," she said.
Addressing the Security Council's support for the Annapolis process, Shalev said Israel also supports it. However, she stressed that the same day where Council members voted on the initiative, 11 rockets were fired at Israel.
"Yesterday alone, 25 rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel, one of which landed at the entrance of a busy supermarket," she said.
Shalev also stressed that Israel is "fully committed to the peace process," and expressed at her hope for progress on the peace front in 2009.
"We hope that the year 2009 will enable us to further the cause of peace in our region," she said. "Peace remains the salient goal for the state of Israel."
"However, much work remains to be done to build effective Palestinian capacity to fully implement Palestinian responsibilities," Shalev said. "Ongoing terrorist activity in the West Bank remains a threat to Israel and requires us to act accordingly."
