Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, gave a powerful speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday after the UN failed to condemn Hamas.
Whilst there was a victory in the sense that the terrorist actions of Hamas were brought to the attention of the United Nations, the failure of the motion to pass and that tactics used to scupper the US bill should bring shame upon the global body and are yet more evidence to how the UN has lost its way.
Here is what Ambassador Danon said:
“Today’s resolution presented an opportunity for redemption. Proposed by the United States and supported by a global coalition, this resolution offered the United Nations another chance to finally condemn Hamas,” said Danon.
“We thank the United States and Ambassador Haley for standing up for what is right and we applaud the plurality of member states that stood by the truth, took a moral stand, and condemned Hamas for its relentless acts of terror.”
Despite the fact that the resolution did not pass, Danon stressed, “we achieved a plurality. That plurality would have been a majority if the vote had not been hijacked by a political move of procedure.”
“But in one strong, courageous voice, we have brought Hamas to justice.”
“For those member states that rejected this resolution, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Wait when you will have to deal with terrorism in your own countries. Your silence in the face of evil reveals your true colors. It tells us what side you are really on: a side that does not care for the lives of innocent Israelis and innocent Palestinians who have fallen victim to the terrorists of Hamas. Those who endorse terrorism today will be forced to face its deadly consequences tomorrow,” he continued.
“To the children in Israel – in Sderot, Netivot, Ashkelon – we salute you who so bravely endure unthinkable dangers of falling rockets.”
“To the people of Gaza, to the people of Gaza, we also think of you. You deserve a brighter future – not one controlled by a regime of terrorists.”
“To Hamas, the world will not be silent until you stop your violent and illegal ways. Your time is up,” the Israeli Ambassador stressed.
“Whether or not they choose to admit it, all of the member states in this room know full well that Hamas is a radical Islamic terror organization dedicated to the destruction of Israel,” said Danon, who pointed out how Hamas has launched over 13,000 rockets into Israeli communities over the last 13 years, how it launches rockets from neighborhoods in Gaza and how it has constructed nearly 40 terror tunnels that infiltrate Israeli border towns to kidnap and kill Israelis.
“Hamas exploits the people of Gaza – its own Palestinian brothers and sisters – as human shields, an activity that is both illegal and deplorable. Hamas deprives its people of their basic human rights and steals billions of dollars of humanitarian aid – paid for by your citizens’ tax money – to fund its terror ambitions,” he said.
“Day in and day out, Hamas denies Israel’s very right to exist.”
Danon also noted that Hamas violates international law by continuing to hold the bodies of IDF soldiers Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin as well as Israeli civilians Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed.
“The UN has a legal and a moral obligation to ensure the return of our boys,” he stressed.
“While Hamas flagrantly violates international law, its leadership had the audacity to complain about Israel to the UN. Just last week, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh sent this letter to the UN – all of you got it – to condemn Israel and call for more violence. Ismael Haniyeh approached you, Madam President. Haniyeh is a man who has praised Osama Bin Laden, referring to him as a holy warrior. The blood of countless innocent lives drips from his hands.”
“There is no difference between the evil of Hamas and the barbarity of ISIS, or Al-Qaeda, or Boko Haram. All these organizations are committed to terrorizing innocent people.”
“Today, as the Jewish people are celebrating the miracle of Hanukkah, a plurality of UN member states made the right decision. They supported this resolution and condemned Hamas unequivocally.”
“Other nations chose to vote against this resolution. Some sat passively on the sidelines in an attempt to appear ‘neutral’ or ‘objective.’”
Danon pointed out that “There is no such thing here as neutrality. There is no such thing as ‘both sides.’ There is no moral equivalency. There is a terrorist organization that endangers civilians flagrantly violating the law and there is a state that protects them.”
“Today, the majority of the international community has exposed Hamas. Others have turned a blind eye.”
“It will not be long until all of the nations of the world stop turning their backs on the thousands of Palestinian and Israeli victims of terror and finally make a clear and unequivocal statement condemning Hamas,” he concluded.
Source: Arutz Sheva
