Unofficial transcript 
Ad Hoc Committee on Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism, June 29, 2009 – Trusteeship Council

ISRAEL:  Thank you Mr. Chairman.  At the outset, allow me to commend you on your ongoing stewardship of this committee and to reaffirm my delegation’s support to the work of this committee.  Terrorism is a global threat that requires sustained, comprehensive action on the part of the international community.  
Last September, Israel welcomed the review of the global counterterrorism strategy as a comprehensive and holistic instrument that highlights the different aspects of combating terrorism.  The pillars of the global counterterrorism strategy represent a multi-pronged approach to fighting terrorism, and the strategies should remain a principle instrument of all member states.
Above all, the message of the review of the global counterterrorism strategy reflects a commitment of member states of this organization to combat terrorism in all its manifestations.  The 16 United Nations counterterrorism conventions and protocol represents further evidence of our joint resolve to prevent and combat terrorism and provides a legal framework to counter discord.  
With our common resolve, we must stand firm against those who seek to justify the unjustifiable, the killing of the innocent.  The deliberate targeting of civilians for the purpose of promoting political objectives can never be defended.  Indeed, this clear understanding is reflected in a series of decisive UN resolutions as well as reports of the Secretary General and Security Council.  They cannot be reconciled with those who try to defend and explain the scourge of terrorism no matter how they call it or what title they give it.
As such, a comprehensive convention against the terrorism -- against terrorism must reflect the firm resolve of the international community against it.  Any terrorism, any form, any convention that permits ambiguity in this regard would represent a major setback in my delegation’s view.  Rather, a comprehensive convention must reflect a universal support of the basic legal, indeed moral principle that the murder -- the deliberate murder of innocents can never be justified.  Reaching an international convention cannot come at the expense of undermining this universal value.
We are hopeful that our deliberation in this regard this week will be constructive and fruitful and my delegation remains committed to the process before us.  Israel supports the Chairman’s 2002 text as a compromise.  Yet we stand ready to consider and discuss all the new ideas that will enable us to progress on the work before us.  
Regarding the possibility of convening a high-level conference on counterterrorism, my delegation, as we have stated in the past, continues to believe that such a conference should take place only after an agreement on the comprehensive convention has been reached.  Thank you Mr. Chairman.