H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon Secretary-General United Nations New York
Excellency,
I write this letter as one million people in southern Israel continue to be terrorized yet another weekend fearing for their lives, enduring barrage after barrage of rocket attacks. During the past 48 hours, over 150 rockets were fired at Israeli communities, including over 40 grad missiles. These rockets are targeted at civilians – one of them falling directly on a school. I ask you, Excellency, to picture how different the current situation would be if the children would have been in school at the time the rocket fell.
In previous letters, the latest of which was sent just a few days ago, we warned of the dangers of inaction by the international community. We alerted the Council that these attacks had the potential to ignite a serious escalation of the conflict, which could affect the entire region. The events of the last two days have proven the danger of silence on behalf of the international community at large, and the Security Council, in particular.
For the sake of security and stability in our region, the Security Council and all responsible members of the international community must immediately and unequivocally condemn and do everything in their power to stop the rocket fire that continues to rain down on Israeli civilians, in violation of every precept of international law.
The number of rockets launched in only 48 hours proves that the smuggling of advanced weaponry by the Iranian regime into the Gaza Strip continues unabated. Every weapon smuggled into the area not only threatens Israeli civilians, but also diminishes Gaza’s prospects for a prosperous future by transforming residential communities into rocket launching pads. Member States’ obligations to prevent this illegal activity is an integral part of numerous UN Security Council resolutions including UNSC resolution 1860, but the latter receives hardly any attention from the international community.
Israel holds the Hamas terrorist organization fully responsible for all attacks emanating from the Gaza Strip, where it remains in de facto control. Israel has exercised and will continue to exercise its right to self-defense, as appropriate, and will take all necessary measures to protect its citizens.
I should be grateful if you would have this letter distributed as an official document of the Security Council.
Allow me, Excellency, to renew to you the assurances of my highest consideration.
Yours truly,
Ambassador Haim Waxman
Deputy Permanent Representative
Permanent Mission of Israel to the
United Nations