On Monday morning, the United Nations Security Council opened its debate on the Israeli-Palestinian Authority conflict with the acknowledgement that anti-Semitism kills — at least in Poway, California.
At the request of Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon, the Council opened the debate with a moment of silence in memory of Lori Gilbert-Kaye, who was murdered in the deadly San Diego attack at Congregation Chabad of Poway.
U.S. President Donald Trump took the time out of his schedule to call Chabad-Lubavitch emissary and founder of the synagogue, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein — one of the people wounded by the shooter — to tell him about the UN’s moment of silence. “He spoke about his love of peace and Judaism and Israel and he was just so comforting that I’m really grateful to our president for taking the time and making that effort to share with us his comfort and consolation,” the rabbi said.
Rabbi Goldstein on Trump calling him following the shooting: "He spoke about his love of peace and Judaism and Israel and he was just so comforting that I’m really grateful to our president for taking the time and making that effort to share with us his comfort and consolation" pic.twitter.com/Bu31UvZomI
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra)
At the beginning of his speech, Ambassador Danon replied to a previous challenge by the German ambassador, who currently holds the presidency of the General Assembly, questioning the rights of the State of Israel in Judea and Samaria.
In his explanation, Ambassador Danon quoted the Bible, reviewed the historical events that led to the establishment of the State of Israel, and explained the rights conferred by international law and the UN Charter.
“Refusing to acknowledge the right of the Jewish people to self-determination in the Land of Israel keeps us from forging peace in the future.
To blame the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria for the lack of peace between Israelis and Palestinians would be a deliberate oversight of history at best,” Danon said.
In light of the U.S. administration’s intention to release the “Deal of the Century,” Ambassador Danon said that “Israel respects the efforts of the U.S. administration” and presented some of the Israeli principles that underpin any significant political process.
“Recognizing the Jewish State of Israel, stopping the incitement campaign, maintaining Israel’s security interests and creating cooperation with neighboring countries; these principles can turn the political process into reality,” the ambassador said.
“While the Palestinians continue to adhere to chronic refusal and claim that the Plan is dead, Israel is willing to work together for a better future for both sides.”