Gabriella Shalev
Photo: Reuters
Riyad Mansour
Photo: AP
WASHINGTON – Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's new government will be committed the peace process, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gabriella Shalev assured the UN Security Council Wednesday.
Speaking at the council's periodic session on the situation in the Middle East, Shalev said that the peace Israel strives for "must be based on three clear principles set by the Quartet and the international community: recognition of the State of Israel, renunciation of terrorism and violence, and adherence to previous agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.
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Addressing kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, Shalev added that "we just marked the 1,000th day since his unlawful, criminal detention in June 2006. During this time, all access to him has been denied… Hamas is attempting to cynically exploit Israel’s sensitivity for human life and the high moral values demonstrated throughout the years by the Government of Israel and its people."
Turning her attention to regional politics, Shalev denounced "the extremists who use every opportunity to sabotage progress made, and seek to destroy goodwill, hopes and aspirations on all sides.
"Among these are the Hamas and Hizbullah terrorist organizations, led, supported, harbored, financed and trained by their Iranian and Syrian patrons.
"Iran continues to threats to wipe Israel off the map, and its development of nuclear capabilities should sound alarms across the globe. Iran is indeed the real danger for our region, for the world, for the future," she said.
Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Authority's delegate to the United Nations, however, told the Council that "the situation in fragile. Peace seems more elusive than ever."
Mansour presented the Council with photos of Palestinian children injured during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza Strip, urging "a discussion on the brutal attack, the continuing siege and the collective punishment of the Palestinian population. We must make a solid ceasefire our priority, but all crossings must be opened for fuel, food and medical transports."
The Palestinian delegate pleaded with the Council to launch an official probe into the Israeli offensive in Gaza, saying that "our conscience will not allow for these crimes against humanity to go unpunished."