Mr. President,

The subject of children in armed conflict is a topic that should not ever exist. Unfortunately, there are many places in the world in w​hich innocent children are victims of war and terrorism. Maybe some of the missions which attacked Israel today forgot the meaning of the word terrorism.

Hamas, the terrorist organization indiscriminately fired thousands of rockets, targeting kindergartens, schools, hospitals and medical centers. All of which were completely ignored in the Secretary General’s report. Hamas fired from densely populated civilian area, with one intention only, to kill innocent civilian including children.

All member states know very well that Israel cares for the lives of every man, woman and child, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or religion. The deep regard that Israel holds for the sanctity of human life is enshrined in our Jewish roots. Israel did not intend and deeply regrets the harm caused to the Palestinian civilian population and surroundings during the 2014 Gaza conflict. Unfortunately, Hamas sacrifices its own people including children in order to portray Israel in a negative way.

One would expect that the Palestinian Authority would condemn Hamas for endangering the lives of the children of Gaza. Instead, they chose to lash out at Israel. Rather than restoring the rule of law and improving the lives of the people of Gaza, they chose to side with terror.

Mr. President,

Let us pray for peaceful times, when the children of Ashdod and the children of Gaza, will play in the streets without fear. This will only come when the Hamas and the other terrorist groups in Gaza give up the path of war and destruction and choose the path of peace.