Statement by
Ambassador Ron Prosor, Permanent Representative of Israel to the UN
May 10, 2012
Thank you, Mr. President.
Ambassador Mehdiyev, I would like to personally congratulate you on your Presidency of the Security Council this month – and to thank you for convening this very important meeting.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the Chairs of the counter-terrorism committees for their briefings this morning – and their continued efforts to strengthen the UN’s response to terrorism.
Mr. President,
We have been discussing the issue of terrorism in this Chamber for decades. Yet, states still speak about this challenge as if they were discussing a lightning strike. For to many, terrorism is something abstract and remote, until it finally strikes them.
Allow me to assume the role of forecaster: nearly every State in this room will be affected by terrorism. And one thing is clear. The less we do to prevent terrorism today, the more we will all face its deadly consequences tomorrow.
Mr. President,
I would like to lend Israel’s support to several positive developments within the UN system- it happens sometimes.
The 1373 Committee indicated in its 2012 Work Programme that it will update the format of the Preliminary Implementation Assessments. Any move to improve the quality of assessments is commendable. Israel believes that the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate’s role in facilitating technical assistance is especially important. All opportunities for matching donors with recipient States should be vigorously explored.
In his recent report on the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the Secretary- General identified border control as an issue of critical concern. Israel agrees wholeheartedly. In this context, I would like to voice our support for the Council’s Presidential Statement of 25 April 2012, on illicit cross-border flows.
The close cooperation between the Ombudsperson and the 1267 Committee has brought about greater transparency and fairness in this sanctions regime. These improved procedures facilitate compliance with the regime. Israel appreciates the Ombudsperson’s briefings to States on the activities of her office in the spirit of transparency and ongoing dialogue.
Finally, I wish to reiterate Israel’s strong support for resolution 1540 and the Committee established to carry out its mandate. The international community has a clear duty to do whatever it takes to keep the world’s most dangerous weapons out of the hands of the world’s most dangerous terrorists and regimes.
Israel is proud to share its unique expertise with others in the global fight against terrorism. We are closely engaged in capacity building initiatives with a number of States and regional organizations both in Africa, South America, and Asia. We are also working closely with the UNODC Terrorism Prevention Branch. Our collaborative efforts span a range of issues – from money laundering to terrorist financing and from aviation security to border protection.
Mr. President,
People do not become terrorists in a vacuum. They are taught to hate and they learn to kill. We see this clearly in the Middle East today, where state-sponsored incitement fills schools, mosques, and media. Across the region, terrorism and martyrdom are being taught and glorified to the next generation.
The prevalence of incitement around the world calls for the international community’s immediate action. Countering incitement and radicalization is one of the most effective counter-terrorism tools at our disposal. We must promote education that teaches peace instead of hate, tolerance instead of violence, and mutual understanding instead of martyrdom.
Recent UN reports show how far we have to go on this issue. CTED revealed disturbing gaps in its recent global survey on the implementation of resolution 1624. For example, it noted that relatively little attention is being paid to – and I quote- “prevent the subversion of educational, cultural, and religious institutions by terrorists and their supporters.” States must act to stamp out institutionalized messages of hate.
The growing nexus between terrorism and transnational criminal networks presents another acute challenge. Hezbollah’s activities offer one example of this disturbing trend. This terrorist organization has established itself as a major player in the global narcotics market, operating a network that spans from West Africa to the Middle East to Latin America. Hezbollah uses this global network to fund its terrorist activities, and to provide the logistical support to carry them out. It’s clear that today a straight line runs from picturesque fields of opium poppies to the pictures of bombs exploding in city centers.
The misuse of cyberspace is another area of growing concern. Increasingly, the web has become a central hub for spreading incitement and glorifying terrorism. It is also used for terrorist recruitment, instruction, and financing. States must look for new tools to prevent this abuse. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all members of the Security Council to join us next month in Israel for a major conference on cyber security. It will take place on June 6th at Tel Aviv University, under the auspices of the Yuval Ne'eman Workshop for Science, Technology and Security.
Mr. President,
In the midst of technical discussions like this, we can never forget that each victim of terrorism has face and a family; a name and a story.
Two months ago, an Israeli diplomat named Tal Yehoshua Koren left our Embassy in New Delhi to pick up her children from school. An Iranian terrorist sped up beside her, and attached a bomb to her car. It exploded, seriously injuring this innocent mother of two.
That same morning, the same network – and the same Government – attempted similar attacks on Israeli diplomats in Bangkok and Tbilisi. Many other plots by Iranian networks have been foiled – from Washington to Baku to Bangkok.
We also see grave… grave grave cause for concern in Syria, where Assad terrorizes his own people as he spreads terrorism around the world.
Each act of terrorism holds the potential for serious consequences that extend well beyond the borders of any particular nation. We see that today in southern Israel, where terrorists from Gaza – sponsored by Iran – continue to rain down rockets on 1 million Israeli civilians – day-in, day-out.
One rocket that explodes in the wrong place at the wrong time could ignite a dangerous escalation in our region. Yet, the Council has not condemned the rocket fire. It has not uttered a single word.
It is time for all in this Chamber to finally wake up to that dangerous reality. I've said it before and I'll say it again: today's silence is tomorrow's tragedy.
Mr. President,
Terrorism is a changing and growing threat. Increasingly, terrorists are sponsored, funded and directed by governments and working with criminals. In a world that has never been more connected, these networks have never had greater opportunities to cause devastating damage.
The international community must stay one step ahead. The world does not have the luxury to stand idle. Complacency will breed catastrophe. And we will all bear the consequences.
History shows us that terrorism can strike anywhere and anyone. It could be me. It could be you. It could be our families or our communities.
Every member state of this organization should be clear about their choices.
Turning a blind eye to terrorists – is choosing terrorism.
Overlooking incitement – is choosing to educate the next generation of terrorists.
For the sake of our children, our nations and our common future, we must drain the swamps of hate and lawlessness that spawn terror – and hold all those accountable who support it.
Thank you, Mr. President.
The Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations represents Israel to the United Nations and its affiliated organizations in New York. The Mission of Israel pursues Israel’s foreign policy objectives to promote peace, security, and international harmonization and development, amongst other important global issues. While the Permanent Mission of Israel is a small Mission, its work covers the wide spectrum of issues addressed at the United Nations.