On Thursday, December 19, 2014, Israel's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador David Roet, addressed the Security Council Debate on Threats to International Peace and Security:

Before we begin, I would like to say a few words about the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Australia. The cowardly attacks on children in a school and innocent civilians in a coffee shop are a painful reminder that no nation is immune to terrorism. We condemn in the strongest possible terms these heinous and senseless acts of violence. The thoughts and prayers of the Israeli people are with the families of the victims in Pakistan and Australia and we pray for a speedy recovery for all those who were injured.

Mr. President,

I want to tell you about a small start-up that emerged in our region just a few years ago. Like any new enterprise, it secured funding, recruited talent, and acquired the equipment needed for its day-to-day operations.

The venture gained momentum and was able to recruit more people, grow its revenue base and acquire more sophisticated tools. Like many start-ups, it turned to social media to amplify its messages and gain greater prominence - this too fueled further growth. It soon expanded its portfolio to deal in illicit enterprises, including stealing and selling crude oil, kidnapping, smuggling and trafficking in goods. Today, this billion dollar enterprise is a household name - ISIS or 'Daesh'.

Mr. President,

The meteoric rise of ISIS is just one example of terrorism 2.0. Extremist groups are using every tool and means at their disposal to further their radical ideological goals and commit senseless acts of brutality.

The haunting images of terrorism will forever be in our minds - school children murdered by the Taliban, journalists beheaded by ISIS, innocent Christians massacred by al-Shabaab, and the countless innocent civilians who were victims of suicide attacks perpetrated by Hezbollah and Hamas.

To effectively counter the threat posed by terrorists, the international community must address every means by which radical groups take root and grow. To confront terrorism 2.0, we must prevent, preempt, and undermine terrorism. In other words - we must invest in counterterrorism 3.0 - a three pronged approach to combatting and preventing terrorism.

Mr. President,

First, we must cut off the supply lines that originate with organized crime networks.

Terrorist groups rely on criminal networks to provide them with weaponry and munitions. Hezbollah, for example, runs one of the largest and most sophisticated global criminal operations in the world. For years, it has funded terrorism through criminal enterprises, including narcotics trafficking and forging currency.

In 2008, German authorities arrested two Lebanese members of Hezbollah carrying more than eight million Euros generated from cocaine smuggling. In 2011, American authorities uncovered an extensive Hezbollah narcotics trafficking and money laundering scheme that was generating as much as $200 million a month for the terrorist organization.

In addition to raising funds through drug sales, Hezbollah is deeply involved in the trafficking of counterfeit and stolen currency and goods. In 2009, the FBI revealed that a Hezbollah member tied to the Philadelphia criminal underworld was trying to sell stolen cell phones, laptops, and cars.

The international community must develop a robust strategy to interrupt the flow of funds from criminal enterprises to terrorist groups. By severing the connection, we will cut the financial and logistical lifeline that keeps terrorist groups afloat.

Second, Mr. President, this Council must address state sponsors of terrorism.

The fact of the matter is that some Member States in this organization support, harbor, finance, train and smuggle terrorists and weapons in our region.

Qatar is aggressively funding the Taliban in Afghanistan, al-Nusra in Syria, and Hamas in Gaza. In fact, in Gaza just a few days ago Hamas held a rally in which Abu Obeida, Hamas's military wing spokesman, publically thanked Qatar and Iran for their ongoing support.

In addition to financing Hamas, Iran is bankrolling Hezbollah with up to $200 million a year to wage war on its behalf. In the last two years alone, Hezbollah operatives have been detained in Nigeria, Thailand, and Cyprus for plotting attacks on civilians. And at the instruction of Iran, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah publicly declared that his forces will ensure the survival of Syria's Assad regime.

The international community can no longer ignore or downplay the global threat posed by Hezbollah. Its founding manifesto pledges loyalty to Iran's supreme leader, seeks the establishment of a fundamentalist Islamic regime, and calls for war against Israel and the West.

Terrorist groups will continue undermining international peace and security so long as state actors supply them with weaponry, financing, training, and safe havens. A stable and prosperous Middle East will remain elusive until this Council unmasks these rogue regimes and compels them to end their support for terrorism.

Third, Mr. President, the international community must broaden and strengthen sanctions against terror groups.

More effective procedures are needed to bring individuals involved in terrorist activities to justice. Mechanisms must be put in place to freeze their financial assets, and prevent their movement through the territories of Member States.

Mr. President,

Every democracy walks a fine line between defending civil liberties and upholding the rule of law. It isn't easy, but we can never allow terrorist groups to gain the upper hand. The recent decision by the European Court of Justice is an injustice to the victims of Hamas terror attacks - Israeli and Palestinian alike.

Terrorism is a global problem, and there must be a continuous effort by all those who stand for the freedom to fight it. Terrorism will not retreat on its own. It cannot be stopped by embracing moderates or making concessions.

Complacency breeds catastrophe and we will all bear the consequences. For the sake of our children, our nations and our common future, we must stand shoulder to shoulder and hold to account all those who support and engage in terrorism.

Thank you.​