Thank you, Mr. President,
I ask why are we here today? Why do we engage in an effort to reward the aggressor?
Why does this Council believe that naming and shaming Israel will get it anywhere?
The people of Israel seek life. And they also seek peace. But under an onslaught of missiles they will fight back and overcome.
Israel has shown its utmost restraint. Israel has agreed to a number of suggested cease –fire arrangements. Israel's good intentions were met by Hamas aggression. Israel had no choice but to initiate "Operation Protective edge".
Let me be very clear: Israel has no interest to be in Gaza. Israel withdrew completely from
Gaza in 2005. It withdrew its military, and dismantled all of its settlements. Throughout the entire escalation of events, Israel has always acted with maximum restraint, fully committed to international law in general and the laws of armed conflict in particular.
IDF attacks in Gaza are targeted solely against military targets used by Hamas for military purposes and terrorist operations. The IDF makes great efforts – risking many times the lives of its own soldiers – to minimize any incidental harm that may be caused to civilians as a result of an attack on a military target.
Yet the sponsors of this resolution have no interest in the facts: Israel is a sovereign a country, a vibrant democracy, with an independent judicial system, governed by the rule of
law. Therefore, Israel has established, during the current operation, a Special Commission of Inquiry with a scope beyond what is required under international and criminal law.
We have no need for a UN mandated COI, nor for any other external investigative body to determine what is already being investigated by the State of Israel, well beyond the requirements of international law. This biased resolution creates a new mechanism, entrusted with a counterproductive mandate. It comes on top of many UN existing entities
dealing specifically with Israel, and undermines the principle of objectivity and impartiality.
Hamas is the aggressor. Hamas is the one committing war crimes. Hamas is the one determined to maximize murder and mayhem. Open your eyes to realities and your mind to the truth. And let me repeat what I said in the morning:
What this Council can do is reject outright this biased, misconceived and destructive
resolution. What this Council cannot do is stop Israel from defending its population.
We seek life, we seek security and we seek peace. This resolution provides none of it.
Thank you, Mr. President.