The United Nations Security Council must do more to combat state-sponsored terrorism such as that executed by Tehran, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan wrote in a memo he submitted to the council.
Action must be taken “against states that arm, train and sponsor terrorists and acts of terrorism. It is not enough to sanction merely the terrorist groups themselves,” Erdan wrote.
The Security Council has taken steps to stop the financing and material support of terrorist groups, but “more must be done,” he stated.
“The Iranian Ayatollah regime advances its malign geopolitical goal of regional and political hegemony by supporting its terrorist proxies, wreaking havoc and spreading violence throughout the Middle East and beyond,” he added.
Erdan’s words on Iran were part of a five-point plan to combat terrorism he submitted to the UNSC Tuesday, which his office publicized the following day.
On Tuesday, the UNSC met virtually to mark 20 years since the passage of UNSC Resolution 1373 to combat international terrorism in the aftermath of the terror attack on the twin towers in New York on September 11, 2001.
The discussion was limited to the 15 members of the Security Council. Israel is not a member of the UNSC and therefore submitted comments on the matter in writing.
Erdan’s plan urged the UNSC to take steps against terror groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
The Security Council “has failed to address the threat imposed by other non-state, major terrorist groups, especially Hamas and Hezbollah,” Erdan wrote.
He asked the council to adopt a “zero tolerance” policy toward terrorism and to prevent its spread on social media, particularly through incitement and hate speech.
“We must create public-private global partnerships to curb this disturbing trend. Companies must take responsibility for their role in this and take immediate action to prevent their platforms from becoming breeding grounds for extremism,” the ambassador wrote.
The UN should stop embracing states and entities that glorify terrorism, Erdan wrote. He mentioned in particular the Palestinian Authority’s “pay for slay” policy, which provides financial grants to those jailed by Israel for terror activity, with the larger payments going to those who were involved in more serious attacks. Family members of those incarcerated for terror activity also receive grants.
“There should be a clear and unambiguous condemnation of the Palestinian Authority’s “pay to slay” policies,” he said. “Staying silent as terrorists and their families are rewarded for murderous violence, with higher sums for more violent and bloody acts, is no less than complicity.”
Israel’s experience combating terror places it in the position to help the international community, he said.
An uncompromising approach is needed, Erdan wrote. “Unfortunately, the United Nations is still a long way from really demonstrating the resolve required in this effort and continues its hypocrisy.”