Mideast situation/Murder of Israeli teens in West Bank/Rocket fire from Gaza – Letter from Israel

Identical letters dated 30 June 2014 from the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council

For the past 18 days, the people of Israel have poured out their hearts praying  for the safe release of three teenagers kidnapped by Hamas. Earlier today, we were devastated to learn that the search for the boys had ended in tragedy. Our nation’s heart is broken over the loss of our sons, Eyal Yifrah, Gilad Shaar and Naftali Fraenkel.

In the past few weeks, Israel has come under attack and felt the bitter devastation that comes with Hamas in a Palestinian Government. Since the formation of the unity Government on 2 June 2014, over 70 rockets have been fired from Gaza into Israel. In the past 24 hours alone, 16 rockets were launched into southern Israel, one of which fell on a factory in Sderot. If the attack had occurred just a few hours later, countless Israelis could have been killed or injured.

The people of Israel cannot — and will not — tolerate these acts of terrorism. Israel’s leaders have been very clear: we are prepared to take all measures necessary to protect our citizens from Hamas terror. Those who target Israelis with terrorism today will pay a very heavy price tomorrow. The Israeli Government has a right and a duty to protect its citizens.

The international community can no longer remain silent as the citizens of Israel are mercilessly murdered and terrorized. The serious danger of an even greater escalation hangs over our very volatile region. I call upon the Security Council to condemn the murder of the three Israeli teenagers by Hamas, condemn the relentless terror attacks on Israelis and condemn the Palestinian unity Government.

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