YouSaid · the spoken record

Mekel

lines on the record: 56
first: 2003-01-14
most recent: 2004-07-19
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-security-council

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“We must hold those who support or tolerate it accountable, and we must work to replace it with a culture of tolerance and mutual respect. Israel believes that if all States confront terror directly and without compromise, it can be defeated. The threat of terrorism anywhere is a threat to nations everywhere. Its branches must be severed and its roots must be destroyed. This is a struggle we can and will win. Israel commends the dedication and noble desires of the CTC and looks forward to doing all it can to aid in this crucial endeavour.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“A further demand to States should be an end to incitement. Incitement is not just an integral part of the terrorist infrastructure; it is its engine, and we must react to it accordingly. States that allow and even encourage their media to incite terrorism through hate- filled propaganda or that tolerate the extremist teachings of educational and spiritual leaders not only Violate basic human rights obligations; they breed the next generation of terrorists, and they provide fuel to the fire of terrorism. They ensure that the years ahead will be even more dangerous than the years that have passed. The violence manifested in terror is immoral and deadly, and everything that provides its foundations is equally so. If terror is to end, incitement must end as well.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“Terrorism, as I have said, is a truly global threat transcending the borders of States and the very idea of sovereignty. At the same time, however, it is anchored geographically and spatially, and States that harbour the culprits of international terror before, during or after their atrocious activities have themselves become an integral part of the terrorist enterprise. As many States have said before in the Council, the international community's counter-terrorism campaign is only as strong as its weakest link. If any segment of our defence is deficient, the whole will suffer. This body should demand that States that harbour terrorists desist from doing so. It should name and shame them, and it should cooperate with international initiatives to fight terrorism in all its incarnations and in every locality.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“While Israel applauds the progress made by organizations such as the Group of Eight and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe regarding MANPADS, this body still needs to address the issue in an operative manner. As Israel has cautioned before, this is a terror trend that, although it has not yet caused the great number of deaths of which it is capable, unquestionably has the potential to turn our skies into vast killing fields. Anyone who ever flies on a commercial jetliner anywhere in the world has reason to fear the ease of proliferation and use of MANPADS and the tremendous danger that they hold. Israel urges this body to take the concrete steps necessary to understand and eliminate this menace. Another problem requiring immediate attention is the phenomenon of States harbouring terrorists.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“Because they bomb subways does not mean that they will not attempt to devastate cities with chemical weapons. We must listen to terrorists' stated intentions. We must not underestimate their objectives or their means. We must take them at their words, and we must never discount the horrors of which they are capable. They do not play by the rules of civilized society, and to expect them to do so is to be constantly caught by terrible surprise. One example of this concept is the issue of man- portable air defence systems (MANPADS). This is a danger that Israel has experienced intimately, and it is one on which much work is still to be done.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“This creature is becoming increasingly sophisticated in initiating joint ventures, sharing methods and moving investment capital to where it is needed to be the most lethal. It is constantly refining its practices and strategies, strengthening the logistics of mass murder. As this network adapts, so must we. We must anticipate new directions that terror will take, and we must cut them off. As terror changes, we must change with it. We cannot fight future battles based solely on past experiences; on the contrary, we must pay careful attention to emerging trends. The fact that terrorists bombed military installations did not mean that they would not attack skyscrapers. Because they attacked skyscrapers did not mean that they would not bomb subways.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“Israel knows the pain and devastation that terror wreaks because, although we wish it were not so, Israel sees it first-hand on an almost constant basis. We are keenly aware of the excruciating dilemmas democracies in particular face in confronting an enemy with no respect for life and no respect for law. Through this agonizing and ongoing experience, Israel has learned a great deal. We understand that alongside the success in international counter-terrorism that the CTC and the global community have enjoyed, it is also undeniable that we increasingly face a dangerous proliferation of terrorism. Terrorism is not just a scattered collection of individuals, domestic organizations or regional networks. It is a frantic octopus sending its deadly tentacles in all directions.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“Like a disease, it cannot be successfully fought with partial measures but must be combated as a whole. It must be faced with steely resolve and unblinking determination. Terrorism is a network, interconnected and often global. It must be fought as such. Terror anywhere in the world should be acknowledged for what it is and dealt with accordingly. Left to breathe, abandoned to fester or immorally discounted as someone else's problem, it only strengthens into an undertow that will inevitably re- emerge from the depths. As the international community has recognized, there is no cause or grievance that justifies terrorism. There is no such thing as good terrorism and bad terrorism. Unfortunately, Israel knows this all too well, for Israel too often finds itself on the frontline of the international war on terror.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“For Israel, the past few years have challenged us to identify our place in the global counter-terrorism effort and to find ways in which our unfortunately extensive experience in combating terrorism can be of benefit to others. We are encouraged by the increasing number of countries seeking to ally themselves with us in this context, and we hope, too, to be able to make a visibly greater contribution to the CTC. To this end, we are looking forward to participating in the CTC's meeting with international organizations, scheduled for the fall. Another way in which Israel could contribute successfully to the CTC would be through the inclusion of Israeli experts within its efforts. Like a disease, terrorism spreads quietly and erupts with deadly effect.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of July, and to express our appreciation to your predecessor in that position. I would also like to warmly welcome the Russian chairmanship of the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) and, in particular, Ambassador Konuzin. I welcome also Ambassador Ruperez as the Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED). I assure you, Sir, of Israel's readiness to do its utmost to assist in advancing our common counter-terrorism agenda. Since its establishment, the CTC has faced the challenge of formulating a clear standard of international activity against terrorism. While it has not been easy, we are now beginning to see the positive fruits of those labours.”
2004-07-19 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.5006 (2004) · source
“As mentioned here today, this draft resolution could make an important contribution to the struggle against proliferation and provide long overdue attention to the growing threat of the use of non-conventional weapons and terrorism.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“Taking into account the experience that we have gained during the past year as regards the non- obedience of States to the traditional mechanisms to assure obedience to international commitments and responsibilities, Israel believes that it would be correct to add the following sentence at the end of operative paragraph 6 (a): " as well as the compliance of States to their obligations under these treaties". We also believe that the definitions segment at the end of the draft resolution should include the word "services" in the definition of "related materials". At this time, I would like to reiterate my support to this international effort.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“Taking into account our support for the current draft, we have a few suggestions which we believe can improve the text and which, we hope, will enjoy the support of other delegations. In regard to the fifth preambular paragraph, Israel believes that there should be a distinction between legitimate cooperation for purposes of promoting peace, and cooperation that only serves as a veil to hide illegitimate plans. Therefore, we believe that it is desirable to add the word "legitimate" between the words "hamper" and "international", so that cooperation is limited to legitimate cooperation. We would also like to suggest that the words "legislative measures" substitute for the word "laws" in operative paragraph 2.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“They also include materials based on lists of relevant international standards that prohibit the export of any item designed for chemical, biological or nuclear weapons. This step provides a legal framework and constitutes an improvement to the stringent export control system that currently exists in Israel. This supplements Israel's export control legislation on missiles and related materials. We believe that the way to prevent the spread of WMD, in particular to terrorists, is first and foremost to increase national controls and to improve the protection of sensitive facilities at the national level. Therefore, as mentioned before, we support this initiative and the objectives of this draft resolution.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“Therefore, beyond the threat of proliferation by States, there is a growing threat that terrorists might be able to obtain sensitive materials, technologies and know-how. As one of the countries that faces these threats, Israel welcomes the international effort to identify concrete and effective steps aimed at preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and in particular the growing threat of WMD terrorism. As a full partner in the effort to prevent this phenomenon, Israel has recently adopted legislative measures in order to control the export of dual-use materials, technologies and know-how that could be used for the development of WMD. These measures include controls on items in accordance with lists based on international standards in this field.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“Mr. President, at the outset I would like to congratulate you on the assumption of the presidency and express our appreciation for your wise stewardship of the Council's deliberations. The past year has been characterized, among other things, by two major developments in the field of non-proliferation. The first is the exposure of violations committed by States regarding their commitments, and henceforth the international recognition of the limitations of the traditional mechanisms to ensure compliance. The second major development, which complements the first one, is the revelation of proliferation networks through which dual-use materials, equipment, technologies and know- how are being distributed to States and non-State actors.”
2004-04-22 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4950 (2004) · source
“In conclusion, Israel welcomes the discussion of specific issues concerning the protection of children in armed conflict and the opportunity to express our firm support for the continuation of the monitoring process to that effect. We yearn for the day when peace is the prevailing global condition and there is no longer any need to deal with the specific impact of armed conflict on children. But, until that day, the international community must continue to act with resolve in extending protection to those who are most vulnerable and confronting with courage the factors that continue to feed this ugly phenomenon. Madam President, in concurrence with your desire, I have read only a shortened version of our statement, and a full version is being distributed.”
2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Once this resolution was adopted and in order to rectify this imbalance, Israel reluctantly introduced a mirror resolution to draw attention to the suffering of Israeli children from terrorism. Unfortunately, a group of delegations, determined not to acknowledge that Israeli children were also victims in this conflict, sought to distort this resolution beyond recognition. As a result, Israel was compelled to withdraw its text. In doing so, we expressed the hope that Member States would see this unfortunate incident as a wakeup call to end the politicization and double standards in United Nations debates on issues of universal concern, such as the plight of children. We continue to hold to that hope today.”
2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898Resumption1 (2004) · source
“The suffering of Israeli and Palestinian children must be acknowledged. If we deny the suffering and victimhood of the other side, we undermine the prospects of mutual understanding and tolerance that are the foundations of any lasting peace. Recently in the General Assembly, unfortunately, there was an attempt to do just that. The General Assembly adopted for the second year in a row a resolution pertaining specifically to the situation facing Palestinian children. While Israel shares this concern for the plight of Palestinian children, we continue to believe that the issue of children should not be politicized and the situation of any group of children should not be singled out in this way, let alone distorted.”
2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Over the last two years, Palestinian children have been increasingly used as human shields and have been mobilized for terrorist attacks, while the average age of suicide bombers has dropped significantly. For an ever-increasing number of Israeli children as well, growing up is becoming a painful experience. Indeed, Israeli children are often the intended and preferred victims of terrorists. Palestinian terrorist groups, such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade have directed many terrorist attacks specifically against children, including attacks on school buses, discotheques, pizza parlours and other locations where large numbers of children are known to gather. In the conflict that plagues our region, as in any conflict, no one has a monopoly on the status of victim.”
2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Children have also been recruited for roving militias, armed gangs and terrorist groups. In our region, children have been recruited and exploited by terrorist organizations as human shields, for the placing of explosives, as gunmen and even as suicide bombers. It is regrettable that the Secretary-General's report fails again to make specific mention of this reprehensible tactic in our region. We regret also that the report does not address in more direct terms the plight of Israeli children suffering from a relentless terrorist campaign. Both Israeli and Palestinian children continue to be the greatest victims of the terrorism that plagues our region.”
2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898Resumption1 (2004) · source
“In word and in deed, Israel has supported international initiatives aimed at protecting children from the devastation of armed conflict, including the landmark Convention on the Rights of the Child and its protocols, to which we became a signatory two years ago. Israel's accession to the Convention was followed by our adoption of "Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty", a law that ensures that the rights of the child are guaranteed constitutional protection. The adoption of the Basic Law sparked a flurry of judicial and legislative activity that broadened the commitment of Israeli society to the principles of the Convention. It goes without saying that the formal practice of forced conscription of children is abhorrent and must be outlawed. But the participation of children in armed conflict is not limited to formal military service.”
2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898Resumption1 (2004) · source
“The latest report of the Secretary-General contains shocking information about the abuse and harm to which children continue to be subjected. We cannot allow ourselves to be desensitized to it. Unfortunately, many of the gains described in the report relate to developments on paper rather than in the field. In this regard, the deployment of child protection advisers in peacekeeping missions and the practice of naming parties to armed conflict that are recruiting or using children, if properly implemented, seem to us to be of particular importance because of their potential for bringing about positive change on the ground.”
2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898Resumption1 (2004) · source
“Madam President, at the outset, please allow me to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency for the month of January and to express our satisfaction with your efforts in initializing this debate. We would also like to extend our congratulations to your predecessor and to the newly elected members of the Council. In spite of numerous developments, aptly detailed in the report of the Secretary General (5/2003/1053) on children and armed conflict, the general situation for children remains grave and unacceptable. Placing children on the front lines as active participants in violence, as aggressors or as victims, has dire short- term and long-term consequences for children, for the societies they live in and for the hopes and dreams of a stable peace.”
2004-01-20 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4898Resumption1 (2004) · source
“The concerted efforts of the CTC, the Council and the international community as a whole are needed to ensure that the terrorists' goals are never achieved.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“If education is left in irresponsible hands, we risk giving birth to generations of children deprived of the chance even to contemplate peace and who are incited to consider the murder of innocent civilians as a legitimate and even noble act. If incitement is not eliminated, in accordance with established human rights norms, it will be impossible to move away from terror and violence to the path of dialogue and the building of a better future. The goals of terrorism are clear: to spread fear, to weaken the rule of law, to undermine the exercise of our most basic human rights, to demoralize law-abiding citizens and ultimately, to destroy the essential institutions of society. The targets and intended victims of this vicious cycle are democracy and freedom itself.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Finally, we must recognize the crucial role that is played by vicious incitement in the creation of suicidal terrorists and in the fostering of an environment that supports them. Unfortunately, in our region there are too many examples of children who attend schools adorned with posters of terrorists, study from books filled with inflammatory rhetoric and watch children's television programmes filled with songs which demonize other cultures and praise terrorism and violence. We must ensure that information in educational, religious and political institutions, as well as the media, is used to promote progress and tolerance, knowledge and understanding, and not be used as a tool to subvert them.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“The intensive cooperation and coordination of the international counter-terrorism community is also necessary in addressing the dire threat posed by man- portable air defence systems (MANPADS). As the CTC works to consolidate its agenda for the near future, Israel reiterates its call for increasing efforts to combat the threat of MANPADS, both strengthening countermeasures and reducing the danger of proliferation. Security Council resolution 1450 (2002) condemned in the strongest terms the missile attack in Kenya on an Arkia Israeli Airlines flight. Subsequent warnings of planned attacks involving shoulder- launched surface-to-air missiles capable of destroying civilian aircraft at low altitudes underscore the need for States to take urgent action to curb the proliferation of those weapons and access to them by terrorist groups.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Those who abuse the language of resistance to justify the murder of innocents create the environment where such murder can take place. For Israel, it is self-evident that the international fight against terrorism must begin at home, at the national level. It can succeed only if every individual State makes a sincere commitment to prevent terrorists from obtaining weapons and to dismantle the infrastructure and networks that sustain them. The threat of weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of terrorists is a dire illustration of the nexus between terrorism and the illicit transfer and proliferation of weapons. It is incumbent upon the Committee and States to set standards for their import and export, in order to ensure that no weapon of any magnitude could be supplied to clients who may, in turn, transfer them to terrorists.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“The development of practical counter-terrorism instruments and capabilities is an important achievement, but they only matter if they are implemented on the ground. Paper must not be confused with progress. A number of States, while demonstrating the political will to fight terrorism, lack the proper instruments to do so. International codes, best practices and model legislation are the keys to success. However, our pace is slowed primarily by those regimes that are able but unwilling to join this campaign. It takes only one non-compliant or complicit State to provide safe harbour for a terrorist operative and to enable the perpetration of future attacks against civilians. Those who harbour terrorists or fund acts of terror are as guilty of terrorism as those who pull the triggers, detonate the bombs or crash the aeroplanes.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Global anti-terrorism conferences, such as those organized by the CTC and the Organization of American States (OAS) in New York and Washington this month, serve as instruments to establish the legal parameters for all regions and Governments to collaborate to devise effective strategies and implement policies to dismantle networks that provide financial and logistical support to terrorists. Regional organizations like the OAS serve a vital role as catalysts and intermediaries, working in conjunction with the CTC to meet the specific needs of Member States. In the past few months, significant contributions have been made by regional organizations in the areas of capacity-building, distribution of information, best practices, assessment and programme implementation. Still, our pace is too slow.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Just yesterday, three American citizens were killed in a terrorist attack in the Gaza Strip as they were on their way in convoy to interview Palestinian students for scholarship grants. No part of the world - New York, Washington, Mombassa, Karachi, Bali, New Delhi, Mumbai, Casablanca, Jerusalem - is immune from the scourge of this global threat. We need an international partnership - a coordinated global approach to combating international terrorism. Israel welcomes the efforts of the Chairman of the CTC to develop a new activist agenda for the that body, and we look forward to the expansion of existing bilateral and multilateral activities to strengthen both the political will and the practical capabilities of States to this end.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“On the day that a terror attack succeeds, gruesome pictures are broadcast across the globe, and we are overwhelmed with genuine sympathy for the victims. But our resolve to fight terrorism - not merely to condemn it - must remain even when the images fade. Recent attacks have demonstrated that extremist elements are willing and able to strike at any target, in any hemisphere, without concern or regard for human life. In Baghdad in late August a terrorist bomb ripped through United Nations headquarters, killing the top United Nations envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello, among many other victims. In Haifa this month, a homicide bomber blew up the Maxim restaurant, destroying over 40 years of Arab and Jewish cooperation, killing 21 Israeli civilians, including three whole families, and wounding over 60.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Allow me at the outset to pay tribute to the Ambassador of Spain, Mr. Inocencio Arias, for his stewardship as Chairman of the Counter- Terrorism Committee (CTC). Under his leadership, the CTC continues to play a vanguard role in the global campaign against terrorism, in assisting and monitoring State implementation of resolution 1373 (2001). Israel takes this opportunity to reaffirm our support for the work of the CTC and assure it of our full cooperation. The war on terrorism has not been won. Although both committees established by the Security Council to fight that scourge have made significant contributions since the Council last discussed this issue in July, there is a risk of increasing complacency.”
2003-10-16 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4845Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Members of the international community should not only cooperate with the Committee, but draw inspiration from its methodical and sustained approach to the fight against terrorism.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“But as recent attacks have demonstrated, Islamic extremist elements are still willing and able to strike at targets, inflicting heavy civilian casualties. The fight against terrorism is far from over. Israel would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm its support for the work of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) and to assure it of our full cooperation. The Committee is not about grabbing headlines. It is about the nuts and bolts of fighting terrorism. It is about staying the course and addressing the multifaceted elements that make up the terrorist infrastructure. While it is but one component of our broader confrontation with the terror weapon, it serves as an important example of international resolve.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“The Committee also demonstrates ways in which the Council can actively and aggressively target specific terrorist organizations, beyond the scope of Al Qaeda, as part of the Council's broader counter-terrorist agenda in accordance with resolution 1373 (2001). The terrorist threat will not remain static, and new threats will emerge. But it is crucial for States to have an operational model at their disposal similar to that of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) as part of the fight against terrorism. Since our most recent discussion on this issue, there have been marked successes in the fight against the Al Qaeda network and in the efforts to find and detain key Al Qaeda leaders.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“It takes only one non-compliant State to provide safe harbour for Al Qaeda, and to enable it to regroup, plan and perpetrate deadly attacks against civilians. Given this reality, it is troubling that so many States have failed to submit their implementation reports to the Council. Moreover, it is noted in the report of the Monitoring Group that minimal effort has been engaged by States in locating and freezing financial assets and economic resources. The Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999) is an important component in the fight against the terrorist activities of the Al Qaeda organization. But the value of the Committee is not limited to that fight alone.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“In addition, there have been attempts by Al Qaeda operatives carrying foreign passports to penetrate Israel in order to gather intelligence and perpetrate terrorist attacks. In the wake of these attempts, Israel has taken all necessary measures to implement the required sanctions and to prevent future actions by that and other terrorist organizations. No country can prevent terrorism in isolation. Success in bringing down the networks of terrorism will require a sustained international effort, along with increased international cooperation, information- sharing and coordination. Only our common efforts will pay dividends in the face of this threat. The weakest link in our fight against terrorism are those regimes which are able but unwilling to join this campaign.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Madame, and the Council, for the important steps that you have taken, together with the Monitoring Group, in assisting and monitoring State implementation of Security Council resolution 1267 (1999) and subsequent relevant resolutions. In taking that decisive action to counter the terrorist capacity of the Taliban and Al Qaeda, you have made a significant contribution to the efforts of the global community in combating the pervasive threat of terror and to the maintenance of international peace and security. As we are all aware, the activities of the Taliban and Al Qaeda are not confined to Afghanistan. As our own report to the Council notes, there have been several foiled attempts by Al Qaeda to establish a military infrastructure in our region and to recruit Palestinian terrorist operatives.”
2003-07-29 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4798 (2003) · source
“If delegations truly care about Palestinian children, they must first and foremost address the shameful practices of Palestinian leaders and terrorists that have led too many Palestinian children to believe that murder and death are noble pursuits. However, if their purpose is simply to exploit another United Nations discussion to attack and defame Israel, let those delegations find a more appropriate forum. On an issue as urgent and critical as protecting children, we can ill afford to allow our discussions to be tainted by such naked political hostility.”
2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Those who are genuinely concerned about the situation of Palestinian children must scrutinize and condemn the criminal behaviour of Palestinian terrorists, who have obscured the fundamental distinction between civilians and combatants, set up camps in civilian refugee areas, used Palestinian civilians, including children, as human shields and used private homes and schools as bases from which to launch attacks against Israel, in grave violation of international humanitarian law and Security Council resolutions. The international community must loudly condemn the practices of Palestinian leaders, who have actively encouraged the participation of Palestinian children in armed conflict, elevated suicide terrorists to the status of national heroes and urged children to follow their examples.”
2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Those cases are deeply regrettable; but, in contrast to Palestinian terrorists who have deliberately targeted school buses, discos and other areas where children are known to congregate, Israel has gone to great lengths- and at considerable risk to its own security- to ensure that its counter-terrorist operations are conducted so as to reduce the threat to civilians as much as possible.”
2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source
“While it may be convenient to place full blame for the plight of the Palestinian people on Israel's shoulders, the fact remains that the Palestinian leadership, which chose to forego a viable political process in favour of a bloody campaign of terrorism, is primarily responsible for the difficult situation we are currently facing. Israel has never, and will never, intentionally target Palestinian children or any unarmed civilian. We recognize that, in the course of our battle with Palestinian terrorists, civilians have suffered.”
2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source
“The situation facing the Palestinian people, including Palestinian children, is a serious one. Israel shares the concern of the international community over their plight and has taken steps to improve the humanitarian situation of all Palestinians. It must be stressed, however, that this situation is first and foremost a product of the decision of the Palestinian leadership to engage in violence, to pursue confrontation in place of negotiations and to encourage, finance and support a deliberate campaign of terrorism against the people of Israel.”
2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source
“I regret that I am forced to take the floor again in this debate. We had hoped that this discussion would not turn into an exchange regarding the particularities of the situation in the Middle East. Unfortunately, that has not been the case. In the course of today's debate, a few speakers - in particular the Palestinian observer - have used the issue of children in armed conflict to single out Israel for criticism and condemnation. Such criticism directed at one country, and at one country alone, is not intended to alleviate the situation facing Palestinian children or, for that matter, the situation facing any group of children living under the threat of armed conflict. Rather, it is intended to advance a political agenda and to isolate my country. For that reason, I am compelled to make a second intervention.”
2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source
“Israel is a full partner in this endeavour and will act through all means to ensure that all the world's children enjoy their fundamental right to grow up free from fear, free from suffering and free from the horrors of war and terrorism.”
2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source
“We would urge responsible Member States not to indulge in such politicization of the work of the United Nations, especially with respect to an issue as important and urgent as our children. When we allow the issue of human rights to be used as a political weapon we cast doubt on our very commitment to human rights and we damage the credibility of this institution and its ability to work effectively on issues of common concern. Israel yearns for the day when peace is the prevailing global condition, and when there is no longer any need to deal with the specific impact of armed conflict on children. But until that day, the international community must continue to act with resolve in extending protection to those who are most vulnerable.”
2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source
“There is, for instance, no resolution adopted concerning the five specific problematic areas cited by the Secretary-General in his report. While Palestinian children are undoubtedly deserving of protection, one may ask whether the 106 Israeli children killed and the many Israeli children wounded by terrorism since September 2000, or the children in Africa or in parts of the Arab world are any less deserving. Notwithstanding the questionable wisdom of adopting particularized resolutions on issues of universal concern, it is a grave shame that those who supported that one-sided resolution were unable to rise above narrow their political agenda and call for the protection of both Israeli and Palestinian children alike.”
2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source
“There remain delegations that are quick to unite under the banner of protecting children from armed conflict, but whose actions betray their true political motives. Those delegations are far too willing to sacrifice genuine progress on these issues in favour of their political agenda. In its most recent session, the General Assembly adopted a resolution pertaining specifically to the situation facing Palestinian children. With the adoption of that resolution, the Assembly has brought to three the number of resolutions on the human rights of children: one regarding the rights of the child, one regarding girls and one regarding Palestinian children. The latter is the only resolution adopted with respect to one specific group of children.”
2003-01-14 · UN Security Council · Security Council, S/PV.4684Resumption1 (2003) · source