Mideast situation/Rocket attacks from Gaza – Letter from Israel

Identical letters dated 4 April 2013 from the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council

I write to inform you of the potential for a dangerous escalation on Israel’s southern border.

Over the past four days, Gaza terrorists have fired 11 rockets and mortar shells at Israeli civilians and cities. Yesterday morning, two of these rockets landed near the Israeli town of Sderot just as children were making their way to school for the first time since the Passover holiday. Instead of shuttling to school, these children and their families had to shuttle immediately to the nearest bomb shelter.

This rocket fire is an unacceptable breach of the understandings that were reached following Israel’s military operation against Hamas last November. Israel holds the Hamas terrorist organization fully responsible for any attack that emanates from areas under its control.

The only thing more deafening than the sirens that go off in Israel when a rocket is fired is the international community’s silence. I urge this Council to condemn these attacks, loudly and clearly, before the situation further escalates. It is time for the Security Council to start ensuring the security of Israel’s citizens.

I should be grateful if you would have the present letter distributed as a document of the Security Council.

(Signed) Ron Prosor
Ambassador
Permanent Representative