Reuben appeals to UN over Gaza mortar attacks

UN envoy says Israel will take all action to protect citizens; letter is Reuben's fourth letter to the Security Council about such attacks this year.

By JORDANA HORN, JPOST CORRESPONDENT
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Meron Reuben 311 (photo credit: Shahar Azran)
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Meron Reuben 311
(photo credit: Shahar Azran)
NEW YORK – Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Meron Reuben sent letters to the secretary general and the Security Council over the weekend decrying the recent mortar fire into Israel from Gaza by Hamas – and expressed the hope that the international community would condemn the attacks.
Reuben called the bombing a “serious escalation” of projectile attacks from Gaza – of which there have been more than 100 since the beginning of 2011.
This is Reuben’s fourth letter to the Security Council about such attacks this year.
The recent attacks “represent an unprecedented increase in the projectile fire emanating from the Gaza Strip since the end of Operation Cast Lead in 2009,” Reuben wrote. They were launched from Gaza “with the clear intention of targeting and terrorizing Israeli civilians.
“Israel holds the Hamas terrorist organization – the de facto authority in the Gaza Strip – fully responsible for all of these attacks,” Reuben added. “In view of these attacks, Israel has exercised – and will continue to exercise – its right to self-defense, as appropriate, and will take all necessary measures to protect its citizens.”
Reuben reiterated that these bombings highlight “the very significant security challenges facing the government and citizens of Israel on a daily basis.”
He added that the attacks underscore the consequences of illegal-arms smuggling into the Gaza Strip.
Reuben referenced his letter to the Security Council last Friday, in which he denounced Iran and Syria’s attempt to transfer weaponry to terror groups in Gaza via the Victoria cargo vessel.
“The Security Council and the international community must also devote much more attention to the prevention of smuggling of arms into Gaza, which fuels continuous rocket attacks against Israel and serves as a significant obstacle to peace and security in our region,” the letter stated. “Unfortunately, this important issue – an integral part of Security Council resolution 1860 – does not receive the appropriate attention that it deserves.”