General Assembly
Sixty-second session
Agenda items 17 and 18

The situation in the Middle East

Question of Palestine
Security Council
Sixty-third year



		Identical letters dated 25 April 2008 from the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council


	I write to inform you of a Palestinian terrorist attack that resulted in the death of two Israeli civilians earlier today.
	Two Israeli security guards were killed this morning in a shooting attack in an industrial zone near Nitzanei Shalom (literally: “flowers of peace”) in the Sharon region. The two men — identified as Shimon Mizrahi, 53, of Bat Hefer and Eli Wasserman, 51, of Alfei Menashe — were security guards in the industrial zone, which was built to provide employment for Palestinians in Israeli factories. The zone is a prime example of the great potential for Israeli-Palestinian cooperation. Islamic Jihad and Hamas claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack.
	This attack, like the recent attacks on the crossing points into the Gaza Strip, further demonstrates Hamas’ intent to harm as many Israelis as possible and destroy all prospects for coexistence between Israel and the Palestinians. Palestinian terrorism remains the greatest obstacle to peace and security in the region. The Palestinian leadership must stop the violence, dismantle the terrorist infrastructure, end the cycle of impunity, and bring the terrorists to justice. Today’s attack underscores the need for security measures in the West Bank, and Israel will continue to defend itself and its citizens from any threat of violence and terrorism.
	I should be grateful if you would have the contents of this letter circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 17 and 18, and of the Security Council.


(Signed) Dan Gillerman
Ambassador
Permanent Representative









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 United Nations
A/62/820–S/2008/277
 
 General Assembly
Security Council
Distr.: General
25 April 2008

Original: English


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