Ron Prosor, Israel's envoy to the United Nations condemned on Thursday the UN over its declaration of its International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinian people."The UN is used as a tool in the service of Palestinian propaganda. Instead of trying to end the campaign of Palestinian incitement against Israel, the UN provides a stage for Palestinian productions for the media," Prosor said.
"While the Palestinians seek UN solidarity, they continue to educate an entire generation to hate Israel and deny the connection between the Jewish people to their homeland," he added. "It's time to stop the hypocrisy and ask, where is solidarity with the victims of terrorism in Israel and their families?"
Earlier Thursday, UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon launched the beginning of the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinians.“This will be a critical year for achieving the two-state solution, bringing an end to the occupation that started in 1967, and securing an independent, viable and sovereign State of Palestine living in peace and security with the State of Israel where each recognizes the other’s legitimate rights,” Ban said in a statement.On November 26, the UN General Assembly passed Resolution A/68/12 that calls on the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (UNISPAL) to “organize activities to be held during the year.” In the same week, the General Assembly passed six resolutions concerning Israel and marked the one-year anniversary of the recognition of “Palestine” as a non-member observer state.UNISPAL has not yet announced the program of events for this year, but said on its website that the International Year of Solidarity with the Palestinians will promote “international awareness... of the obstacles to the ongoing peace process... including the settlements, Jerusalem, the blockade of Gaza, and the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territory.”“I call on all members of the international community and, in particular, Israelis and Palestinians, to work together for justice and a durable peace,” Ban said on Thursday.“Israel and Palestine need to live-up [sic] to their commitment to a negotiated two-state solution and resolve all permanent status issues.”