Israel demands UN censure of Gaza rocket fire
Ambassador to UN Ron Prosor urges UN chief to enforce Security Council's demand of an end to Gaza arms smuggling; warns PA has 'absolutely zero authority in Gaza'
WASHINGTON – Israel's Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday, demanding the United Nations denounce Wednesday's Grad fire by Palestinians militants at Israel's south.
Prosor urged Ban to enforce Security Council Resolution 1860, decreed after Operation Cast Lead, which demands an end to Gaza arms smuggling.
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Israel files an official grievance with the UN after each Gaza fire incident.
On Wednesday, Prosor wrote, "The enemies of peace again showed their determination to carry out violence on the ground.
"At the same time that Israel takes bold steps to expand commercial activity and advance international development in Gaza, terrorists use the area as a launching ground for attacks against the Israeli people.
"(…) This is a direct result of the continuous smuggling of advanced weapons from Iran and others into the Gaza Strip. Preventing this illegal activity is an integral part of Security Council resolution 1860, but it receives hardly any attention from the international community."
Clearing the remnants of a Gaza rocket (Photo: EPA)
"The rocket fire emanating from Gaza represents a flagrant violation of international law," the ambassador wrote, adding that "It must be addressed with the utmost seriousness. Israel expects the Security Council, the Secretary-General, and the international community to condemn all of these attacks immediately and unequivocally.
"The constant rain of rockets on our cities dramatically alters daily life… No people should have to live under such a specter of terror," he wrote. "The People of Israel, like any other people, deserve to hear these acts of terror condemned with unmistakable clarity."
"Israel holds the Hamas terrorist organization fully responsible for all attacks emanating from Gaza," the letter continued. "The rockets that continue to fly out of the area illustrate a basic truth: The Palestinian Authority has absolutely zero authority in Gaza Strip.
"While President Abbas continues his unilateral march for state recognition at the United Nations, the Palestinians are far from meeting the basic criteria for statehood, particularly the test of effective control. So-called Palestinian unity has been – and remains – a virtual reality."
Israel, Prosor stressed, "has accepted the principles outlined by the Quartet to restart negotiations immediately, without preconditions. We are waiting for the Palestinians to do the same and join us back at the negotiating table.
"With the roar of rockets echoing from the Gaza Strip, silence from the Palestinian Authority is unacceptable. Israel is still waiting to hear President Abbas clearly condemn Hamas for the terror that continues to flow from Gaza."
For Israel – as for any nation – "There can be no greater priority, responsibility or obligation than safeguarding the security of its citizens… Israel has exercised and will continue to exercise its right to self-defense, as appropriate, and will take all necessary measures to protect its citizens," he concluded.
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