Israel’s UN envoy seeks condemnation of attacks from Gaza

Meron Reuben sends letter to Ban Ki-moon to express his “serious concern” in light of continued terror attacks from the Gaza Strip.

By JORDANA HORN
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Meron Reuben 311 (photo credit: Shahar Azran)
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Meron Reuben 311
(photo credit: Shahar Azran)
NEW YORK – Ambassador to the UN Meron Reuben sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti, president of the Security Council, on Tuesday to express his “serious concern” in light of continued terror attacks from the Gaza Strip and to ask the Security Council, the secretary-general and the international community to “firmly condemn” such attacks.
Pointing out that three long-range rockets were launched from Gaza on Monday, Reuben stated that these attacks were part of a “disturbing trend,” as 15 rockets and 17 mortars have been launched from Gaza into southern Israel in the past month.
“Many of these rockets have exploded in the heart of civilian population centers, including numerous attacks on the city of Ashkelon – which is home to more than 100,000 people – and an attack on 8 January 2011 on Kibbutz Nahal Oz, which injured three agricultural workers,” Reuben noted.
As in previous letters, Reuben stated, “these attacks constitute a clear violation of international law and must be addressed with the utmost seriousness.”
Israel, the letter said, “holds the terrorist entity in de facto control of Gaza fully responsible for all terrorist attacks emanating from the area.
“While Israel has taken a series of measures to improve life for the inhabitants of Gaza, terrorist organizations continue to operate in the area and attack Israeli civilians with impunity,” Reuben said.