STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR ITZHAK LEVANON
PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF ISRAEL
BEFORE THE FIRST SESSION OF THE
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Geneva, 26 June 2006




Mr. Chairman,

Israel has strong reservations with respect to the numerous worrying omissions under today’s agenda item, but suffice it to mention that.

Clearly, the indiscriminate suicide terrorism, the use of human-guided bombs and the rise to power of a terrorist organization and its gaining control over an entire Authority, are all critical elements in the consideration of any reality in the territories, and the context of Israel’s operations and response in self-defense.

The fact of the matter is, that despite Israel’s pull-out initiative from all of the Gaza Strip, indiscriminate Kassam rockets continue to be fired at Israeli cities on a daily basis, targeting innocent civilians, including children.

Equally surprising in its omission today is any reference to the vile incitement to hatred and anti-semitism – the oldest and most vile form of racial and religious discrimination, and to the glorification of death in government-sponsored media and publications and their ugly display in cartoons and television series against Jews and Judaism in several countries, which is part and parcel of any discussion of defamation and respect for religions, tolerance and human rights. These are the pre-requisites for establishing any minimal credibility on the part of the Council.

Mr. Chairman,

At a time when the Council convenes to address human rights and humanitarian concerns, it seems only apt and proper that this Council take serious note of yesterday’s dreadful event, which highlights the exceptional dilemmas and security concerns we are facing in Israel.

Mr. Chairman,

Yesterday, in an orchestrated attack, Palestinian terrorists raided deep into Israel an army post, killing two servicemen and kidnapping a third. We understand that the kidnapped soldier, Corporal Shalit, is wounded but was taken alive and that he is now in the hands of his abductors.

Mr. Chairman, this is a humanitarian case where humanitarian principles apply. We call upon those who retains Corporal Shalit to treat him appropriately  within these principles and to return him safe to his family.

The Middle East is saturated with violence and needs no more complication. Every hour which passes without releasing the kidnapped serviceman adds to the existing tension.

From here, I call upon the international community to intervene and bring about the immediate release of Corporal Shalit, unharmed back to his parents.

Let me ask you, distinguished delegates, is the desire to raise human rights issues – driven by a genuine concern for human rights, or is it merely a desire to use human rights as a weapon against one’s enemies while shielding one’s friends from criticism?

Mr. Chairman,

Radical failure calls for radical change and this Council must live up to its promises. This change, unfortunately, is not evident today and we urge Members of the Council to walk this time along the Road Not Taken, instead of going down the same old road in a March of Folly.