Over the last few days, the Delegation of Israel had been under the impression that we have made our positions clear. Yet Palestine’s latest remarks in the General Assembly First Committee suggest otherwise. So, to make ourselves clear: Israel is not putting on a show as the Representative of Palestine has suggested. As a result of the body’s misunderstandings, we have repeatedly stated our position, with increasing levels of clarity: Israel was not the party that launched unprovoked offensives against a peaceful, sovereign State.

Israel does not acknowledge the sovereignty of Palestine as a State, nor does it recognize Hamas’s authority in the region. Israel must end terrorism and will not be overrun by Hamas. It is not Israel’s responsibility to ensure that every last Palestinian follows our orders to evacuate active warzones. It is not Israel’s responsibility to coddle and cater to those who choose to willingly hinder efforts of national security. Israel has provided ample warning and opportunity for innocent Palestinian civilians to flee Gaza into designated humanitarian areas. It is not Israel’s fault that these warnings have been continuously ignored. 

Furthermore, we firmly believe that Hamas bears full blame for putting Palestinian civilians in harm’s way. This is all part of the strategy of these vile terrorists. Hamas has quite literally built its infrastructure, supply lines and bunkers underground… even beneath Palestinian residential areas. It regularly uses its own civilians as human shields. This condemnable entity has committed the cruel act of turning hospitals and schools into harbors for death and destruction. Israel is acting in the best interest of its own national security, the security of the Middle East, and for the preservation of the Palestinian people. Hamas pulls no punches, so neither will Israel. Hamas does not place any value on the innocence of Palestinian civilians. 

Israel has zero tolerance for terrorism and the obscene offenses committed by Hamas against the sovereign state of Israel. We will continue to demonstrate strength and a zero-tolerance policy for military actions from Hamas. If Palestine is truly concerned about the death of civilians, namely Palestinian civilians, then the Palestinian people should take additional measures to protect themselves instead of enabling Hamas to continue its evil and barbaric crimes against Israel. 

Israel encourages this body to disregard Palestine’s misleading alarm and we urge you to stand with the State of Israel against terrorism. Israel pledges to not rest until Hamas has been eliminated. This campaign ultimately means safety and security for not only Israel, but Palestinian people as well. It is our hope that, soon, the Palestinian people will finally be free of the oppression and crimes against humanity that have been committed by Hamas for years. If Palestine is truly concerned about the safety of its civilians, it will comply with suggestions to seek haven in designated humanitarian areas and take advantage of the provisions available to the Palestinian people.