Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon demanded on Tuesday that the United Nations Security Council condemn Hamas for inciting tens-of-thousands of Palestinians to breach the Gaza-Israel border in order to attack Jewish civilians one day after deadly riots left 60 people dead.
“Over the past month, Israel had to defend itself from the violent rioters along the security fence with Gaza,” Danon said during an emergency meeting of the UNSC, beginning his remarks with a promise to stick “just to the facts.”
“Over the past month, Israel had to defend itself from the violent rioters along the security fence with Gaza,” Danon said during an emergency meeting of the UNSC, beginning his remarks with a promise to stick “just to the facts.”
“These were not demonstrations, these were not protest, these were violent riots. They have repeatedly attempted to sabotage and breach the fence with the explicit goal of killing Israelis.”
Danon accused Hamas of wanting “death over peace,” and condemned the terrorist organization for exploiting their own people and using them as a collective “human shield.”
“Hamas has committed war crimes not only against Israeli civilians but also against its own people – turning them into human shields for their own cynical gain. Every casualty that has resulted from the recent violence is a victim of Hamas’ war crimes,” the ambassador added.
IDF soldiers shot dead dozens of Palestinian rioters on the Gaza border on Monday when the high-profile opening of the US embassy to Israel in Jerusalem by the Trump administration raised tension to boiling point after weeks of demonstrations.
More than 1,700 people were also wounded in the violent demonstrations, with protesters lobing rocks, Molotov cocktails and kites attached to burning cans of petrol while IDF soldiers responded with live fire and crowd-control procedures.
Danon accused Hamas of wanting “death over peace,” and condemned the terrorist organization for exploiting their own people and using them as a collective “human shield.”
“Hamas has committed war crimes not only against Israeli civilians but also against its own people – turning them into human shields for their own cynical gain. Every casualty that has resulted from the recent violence is a victim of Hamas’ war crimes,” the ambassador added.
IDF soldiers shot dead dozens of Palestinian rioters on the Gaza border on Monday when the high-profile opening of the US embassy to Israel in Jerusalem by the Trump administration raised tension to boiling point after weeks of demonstrations.
More than 1,700 people were also wounded in the violent demonstrations, with protesters lobing rocks, Molotov cocktails and kites attached to burning cans of petrol while IDF soldiers responded with live fire and crowd-control procedures.
The bloodshed drew calls for restraint from western allies across the globe, including Germany, France and Britain, with regional power Turkey calling it “a massacre.”
"We condemn in the strongest terms this odious massacre committed by Israel occupation forces," Riyad Mansour, Ambassador of the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, remarked before Israel addressed the UNSC.
Israel's "occupation is the main source of violence in the region," Mansour continued, adding, "for those who do not acknowledge it live in a different reality. "
"We condemn in the strongest terms this odious massacre committed by Israel occupation forces," Riyad Mansour, Ambassador of the Permanent Observer Mission of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, remarked before Israel addressed the UNSC.
Israel's "occupation is the main source of violence in the region," Mansour continued, adding, "for those who do not acknowledge it live in a different reality. "
"Let us investigate what’s happening on the ground... Palestinians will accept the findings come what may.”
Mansour also slammed the United States during the meeting, calling both its decision to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem and support of Israel at the UNSC a “provocation,” accusing the Trump administration of allowing the Jewish state to “commit more crimes against the Palestinian people” with “impunity.”
The US “should not close their eyes to situation on the ground,” Mansour added.
Minutes before the UNSC emergency meeting, Danon told reporters that “Hamas once again is guilty of inciting its people in Gaza, turning protests into violent clashes on the border” and using weapons in an effort to “infiltrate Israel.”
Mansour also slammed the United States during the meeting, calling both its decision to move the American Embassy to Jerusalem and support of Israel at the UNSC a “provocation,” accusing the Trump administration of allowing the Jewish state to “commit more crimes against the Palestinian people” with “impunity.”
The US “should not close their eyes to situation on the ground,” Mansour added.
Minutes before the UNSC emergency meeting, Danon told reporters that “Hamas once again is guilty of inciting its people in Gaza, turning protests into violent clashes on the border” and using weapons in an effort to “infiltrate Israel.”
“What will they would do if a mob charged at your border with explosives and weapons,” Danon asked in a question directed at his colleagues on the Security Council just outside the executive body chamber.
Presenting a photograph of the Kerem Shalom crossing, usually used for humanitarian aid and had been burned by the rioters, Danon said, “Had the rioters broken down the fence and infiltrated Israel, there can be no doubt that the damage to Israeli towns and villages would have looked like this.”
“Hamas has committed war crimes not only against Israeli civilians but also against its own people – turning them into human shields for their own cynical gain. Every casualty that has resulted from the recent violence is a victim of Hamas’ war crimes,” Danon told reporters.
When asked why Israel was using live ammunition against demonstrators, leading to the deadliest day of fighting since Operation Protective Edge in 2014, Danon rejected any suggestion that those present on the Gaza-Israel border were there with the intention to protest.
“Those were not protestors, they were terrorists,” Danon insisted during the media stakeout.
Presenting a photograph of the Kerem Shalom crossing, usually used for humanitarian aid and had been burned by the rioters, Danon said, “Had the rioters broken down the fence and infiltrated Israel, there can be no doubt that the damage to Israeli towns and villages would have looked like this.”
“Hamas has committed war crimes not only against Israeli civilians but also against its own people – turning them into human shields for their own cynical gain. Every casualty that has resulted from the recent violence is a victim of Hamas’ war crimes,” Danon told reporters.
When asked why Israel was using live ammunition against demonstrators, leading to the deadliest day of fighting since Operation Protective Edge in 2014, Danon rejected any suggestion that those present on the Gaza-Israel border were there with the intention to protest.
“Those were not protestors, they were terrorists,” Danon insisted during the media stakeout.
On Monday, Danon released a statement blaming the terror organization Hamas for deliberately provoking a confrontation on the border and accused the terror organization of “war crimes.”
“Condemn Hamas for the war crimes they commit. Not only does Hamas incite tens of thousands of Palestinians to breach the border and hurt Israeli civilians, but Hamas also deliberately endangers Palestinian civilians. The murder of Israeli civilians or deaths of the people of Gaza – each one of them is a desirable outcome for Hamas,” the ambassador said in the statement..
“Condemn Hamas for the war crimes they commit. Not only does Hamas incite tens of thousands of Palestinians to breach the border and hurt Israeli civilians, but Hamas also deliberately endangers Palestinian civilians. The murder of Israeli civilians or deaths of the people of Gaza – each one of them is a desirable outcome for Hamas,” the ambassador said in the statement..
“Every casualty on the border is a victim of Hamas’ war crimes, every death is a result of Hamas’ terror activity, and these casualties are solely Hamas’ responsibility,” Danon added.
In contrast to the violent scenes in Gaza, Israeli dignitaries and guests attended a ceremony in Jerusalem to open the US Embassy following its relocation from Tel Aviv.
The move fulfilled a pledge by US President Donald Trump, who in December recognized the holy city as the Israeli capital.Netanyahu thanked Trump for “having the courage to keep your promises.”
US Senator Tim Kaine, the top Democrat on the foreign relations subcommittee that covers the region, told Reuters the situation was “tragic” and said “It’s not viewed as the US trying to solve a problem, it’s viewed as the US just stepping away from the problem, and that’s sad.”
The move fulfilled a pledge by US President Donald Trump, who in December recognized the holy city as the Israeli capital.Netanyahu thanked Trump for “having the courage to keep your promises.”
US Senator Tim Kaine, the top Democrat on the foreign relations subcommittee that covers the region, told Reuters the situation was “tragic” and said “It’s not viewed as the US trying to solve a problem, it’s viewed as the US just stepping away from the problem, and that’s sad.”
As Hamas continues to exploit protests to foment violence against Israel, finding a way to help the people of Gaza in any meaningful way becomes more and more challenging. All parties interested in bringing change to Gaza need to face the reality that Hamas has failed its own people.
The New York Times article entitled “Plan to Storm Fence Gets Bloody Preview in Gaza” by Iyad Abuheweila and David Halbfinger is one of several recent reports that have started to capture more accurately the reality of Gaza, why the people of Gaza are suffering, and what these so-called protests are really about.
The New York Times article entitled “Plan to Storm Fence Gets Bloody Preview in Gaza” by Iyad Abuheweila and David Halbfinger is one of several recent reports that have started to capture more accurately the reality of Gaza, why the people of Gaza are suffering, and what these so-called protests are really about.
As with so many issues with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, things are not black and white. The Abuheweila/Halbfinger article doesn’t shy away from hard facts.
The authors describe Israeli concerns about “the idea of swarming across the barrier, a mass of tens of thousands of people too numerous for Israeli soldiers to arrest or even to shoot.” They cite an Israeli colonel’s explanation that the protestors are “trying to infiltrate into Israel, damage our infrastructure and kill Israelis,” and that Hamas leader Ismail Radwan urged protestors not to fear death, but instead to welcome martyrdom. For additional context, let’s not forget that another leader, Yahya Sinwar, exhorted protesters on April 6th to “tear down the wall and tear out their [Israeli’s] hearts.”
The April 27 New York Times op-ed “Why I March in Gaza” by Abu Shammalah is an instructive contrast to the Abuheweila/Halbfinger article.
The April 27 New York Times op-ed “Why I March in Gaza” by Abu Shammalah is an instructive contrast to the Abuheweila/Halbfinger article.
This op-ed has touching aspects – written by a father who says he cherishes his life, speaks about his precious children and his wife. But the author also describes protestors as unarmed, when many are actually armed. And his characterization of protests as nonviolent does not capture the protestors who are quite violent. An inspiring description of how “kites flew” towards the fence must be balanced by pointing out that petrol bombs and swastikas were attached to some of those kites.
Many blame Israel, Egypt and/or the Palestinian Authority for the situation in Gaza. Too few, however, focus their criticism on Hamas – which has been the de facto ruling entity of Gaza for a decade. Let’s get real about this – Hamas, and its enablers, such as Iran, are squarely to blame for the desperate situation in Gaza. Hamas has consistently put its own destructive priorities above those of Gaza’s weary and increasingly desperate population.
Many blame Israel, Egypt and/or the Palestinian Authority for the situation in Gaza. Too few, however, focus their criticism on Hamas – which has been the de facto ruling entity of Gaza for a decade. Let’s get real about this – Hamas, and its enablers, such as Iran, are squarely to blame for the desperate situation in Gaza. Hamas has consistently put its own destructive priorities above those of Gaza’s weary and increasingly desperate population.
The Israelis have indicated that they want to do more to help the people of Gaza, if they could be assured that additional things they allow into Gaza will not be repurposed into weapons or used to build tunnels to attack Israel. Israel might choose to ease restrictions on travel, if it can be assured that those who are crossing into and through Israel will not commit acts of terrorism or smuggling weapons or cash to be used for terrorism. Egypt could also do more to help the people of Gaza, but Egypt shares the same legitimate security concerns as Israel. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the PA could restore all salaries and payments in Gaza. But Abbas also has legitimate concerns, even if the steps he has taken are unfortunate and damaging.
Certainly, we would not want to see the PA running an above-ground government and Hamas running a shadow government below ground. But neither Israel, Egypt nor the PA are the actual cause of the problems; they can only be part of the solution, if given the right opportunity.
Certainly, we would not want to see the PA running an above-ground government and Hamas running a shadow government below ground. But neither Israel, Egypt nor the PA are the actual cause of the problems; they can only be part of the solution, if given the right opportunity.
Deep and pervasive donor fatigue has set in. In the 15 months I have been on the job, I have heard only quick, temporary, small fixes for the people of Gaza. Donors understand that none of us can significantly change the situation in Gaza in the current environment. No one wants to spend money building and rebuilding, only to find what they built is damaged or destroyed in yet another conflict. I have met many people from Gaza – impressive, resilient people. But there will be a limit to what we can do for them while Hamas is in charge.
Hamas has managed to bring the people of Gaza, a people with a proud history and great potential, nearly back to the Stone Age. What an embarrassment, what a desolation, what a failure.
The media lies about Israel.
It's been at it ever since the left changed its position (briefly turning pro-Israel after the Holocaust before reverting to the previous anti-Israel position). And it never stops. The Hamas attacks on Israel proved to be useful counterprogramming to the dedication of the US embassy in Jerusalem.
And the media has predictably been lying about it.
A short while ago, 3 terrorists attempted to place an explosive device near the security fence in Rafah, under the cover of violent riots. In response, the IDF fired at the terrorists, who were killed pic.twitter.com/LFRRyfHDzl
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) May 14, 2018
1. The Gaza attacks are not popular civilian grass-roots protests.
They're calculated attacks organized by Hamas. The Muslim Brotherhood terror group is reportedly offering protesters $100 each. Hamas terrorists have used the front line rioters as human shields, hanging back, waiting for them to breach the fence, before going in and carrying out attacks against Israelis.
We've already seen at least one effort to plant an explosive device and gunmen operating in the area.
2. The embassy is not the issue.
The attacks predated the embassy dedication and postdate it. Hamas organizers have indicated that they intend to keep going into June. Their theme is the return/invasion of Israel by violent, armed racist mobs. It's not the Embassy March, but the Great Return March.
The upsurge in violence is predictable because violence in the region tends to spike in the summer months. If you look back at the patterns of Hamas and Hezbollah violence, they get ramped up in the spring and the summer.
If there were no embassy, the violence would still be happening.
3. Casualty numbers are meaningless
First, any casualty numbers coming out of Gaza are propaganda. Hamas and its people are notorious for inflating casualty figures for political effect, both on their side and on the Israeli side.
Second, Hamas and its media allies have a history of misreporting whether the dead are members of Hamas or other Islamic groups. We've seen this throughout the riots when supposedly civilian casualties turned out to be members of terror groups.
Third, when a terrorist group decides to use civilians as human shields for its attacks, there will inevitably be significant numbers of civilian casualties. That's what happened in Iraq and Afghanistan. But the media is much less interested in reporting on the collateral damage in the fight against ISIS. But when the US or Israel fight terrorists that use human shields, it becomes the only issue.
And the only thing that accomplishes is to reward the human shield strategy and that leads to its widespread use and an increase in civilian casualties.
Finally, when you participate in a terrorist group's attack, it's highly debatable as to whether you are still a civilian. Arguably there are no civilians in these attacks.
Hamas is a racist, genocidal terrorist organization. Anyone who participates in its attacks is, at best, committing war crimes. And at worst is a terrorist.
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