Statements made by Hamas leader against Israel – Letter from Israel

Identical letters dated 12 December 2012 from the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council 

 In a hate-filled, anti-Semitic speech in Gaza last week, Khaled Mashaal, the most senior member of Hamas, made clear, once again, that his terrorist organization seeks the destruction of Israel. I write to make sure that the world is listening. 

 In this speech, Mashaal said again that Hamas seeks to wipe Israel off the map using terrorism and violence. He said, “Liberating Palestine, all of Palestine, is an obligation … the jihad and the armed resistance are the true and correct way to liberation.” 

 Mashaal made clear that Hamas does not recognize Israel’s right to exist. He said, “Palestine — from the [Jordan] river to the [Mediterranean] sea, from the north to the south [i.e. all of Israel] — is our land … there will be no surrender of even the smallest piece of it … it is unthinkable that we would recognize the legitimacy of the Israeli occupation of it”. 

 While President Abbas speaks about a two-state solution, he sent members of his own political party to sit on a stage in Gaza and applaud Mashaal during last week’s hate rally. While President Abbas speaks about living in security with Israel, he has not uttered a word condemning Hamas rockets fired into our communities. While he speaks about peace, President Abbas has done nothing to end the culture of incitement in the mosques, the schools and the media in the West Bank. 

 Those who seek peace will condemn incitement, instead of promoting it. The hatred fed daily to the Palestinian people poisons the hearts and minds of the next generation. This is the major obstacle to peace. The international community has a duty to raise its voice against this danger. The time is long overdue. 

 I call on the Security Council and all responsible members of the international community to forcefully condemn Hamas terrorism and incitement. President Abbas, as the head of the Palestinian Authority, has a responsibility to speak with one voice against incitement, hate, and terrorism — in both word and deed. 

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

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