Danon shows photos from Halamish terror attack at UN
'Instead of condemning terrorism and calming down the situation, the Palestinians are spreading lies and claiming this horrific murder is Israel's fault,' the Israeli ambassador says, urging the UN Security Council to demand PA stops incitement to terrorism.
Israel's Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon presented photos from the scene of the terror attack in Halamish, which claimed the lives of three Israelis, at the UN Security Council on Monday.
"Instead of condemning terrorism and calming down the situation, the Palestinians are spreading lies and claiming this horrific murder is Israel's fault," Danon said.
"Don't believe these lies. The terrorist who murdered the Salomon family will receive a monthly salary from the Palestinian Authority. He was taught that cold-blooded murder of Israelis is holy," he continued.
During a press conference at the UN Security Council, the Israeli ambassador talked about the Salomon family that sat down for a Friday night dinner to celebrate the birth of a new grandson.
"Instead, their night of celebration ended in massacre," Danon said. "They were sitting down for Shabbat meal when the heinous terrorist entered their home and stabbed them to death."
Yosef, 70, was murdered along with his daughter Haya, 46, and son Elad, 35. Yosef's wife, Tovah, 68, was wounded. Elad's wife, Michal, and their five children were hiding in another room.
The terrorist was stopped when a neighbor, a paramedic in the IDF's canine unit Oketz, shot him in the stomach, neutralizing him. Upon his release from the hospital, the terrorist was taken to questioning by the Shin Bet.
"This attack is part of a wave of terrorism against the free world. These terrorists are brainwashed and full of hatred," the ambassador stated.
"The Security Council must demand (Palestinian President) Abbas and the Palestinian Authority to act immediately to stop the incitement to terrorism before more victims are claimed," Danon said.
Security Council meeting on Temple Mount standoff
Danon also addressed the flare-up of violence following the installation of metal detectors at the entrances to the Temple Mount.
"We will enable everybody to come and pray on the Temple Mount, but at the same time we will do whatever is necessary to maintain security," he said.
The UN Security Council held a meeting Monday to discuss ways to de-escalate tensions.
Egypt, France and Sweden called for the talks following clashes over the weekend that left four Palestinians dead.
Asked whether Israel was prepared to remove the metal detectors, Danon said: "Our goal is to calm the situation” by allowing access to the holy site, but also to “maintain security at this important place."
The Security Council was to hear a report from UN envoy Nikolay Mladenov during a closed-door meeting later Monday.
"We hope that members of the council will send a clear message to the parties to de-escalate, to exercise restraint, to refrain from provocations, and to work together to lower tensions and discourage violence," said Swedish diplomat Carl Skau.
Sweden is among a handful of European countries that recognize Palestine.
British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft said there was concern at the council about a possible escalation.
"It’s important that the Security Council plays our part in calling for calm," Rycroft told reporters.
AFP contributed to this report.
