Mideast situation/Rockets fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel – Letter from Israel

Identical letters dated 25 April 2014 from the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council

Since 13 April 2014, eight rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip, directed at the towns and cities of southern Israel, where three and a half million Israelis live under the constant threat of these attacks. Such terrorist activity amounts to a double war crime: these rockets were fired from within civilian areas and they targeted civilians.

Since Hamas took control of Gaza, the region has become a base for terrorists to launch rockets, attempt kidnappings and attack Israeli citizens.

The ink was not yet dry on the recent unity agreement between Hamas and Fatah when another rocket was launched against Israeli civilians. With the signing of the unity agreement, the Palestinian Authority can no longer claim that it has no responsibility for terrorism originating in Gaza. Those in the international community who support this agreement will be giving legitimacy to terrorist attacks against Israel.

Israel has thus far shown considerable restraint, but it will not allow its  citizens to be the ongoing victims of attacks and will continue to take all necessary  measures to protect its population. I call upon the Security Council to immediately  and unequivocally condemn these heinous attacks.

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

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