31 December 2008 –– As Israel continues its defensive action against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Ambassador Gabriela Shalev addressed an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

“Israel was compelled to resort to a military operation after many weeks –– and indeed months and years –– in which its civilians were subjected to deliberate terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations operating from the Gaza Strip,” stated Ambassador Shalev.

Ambassador Shalev touched on a number of subjects related to the current conflict, and she emphasized that Israel’s target remains Hamas, not the Palestinian people. “The targets of this operation are the terrorists and their infrastructure alone. We are not at war with the Palestinian people, but with Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. As such, Israel is doing its utmost to minimize civilian casualties,” she noted.

18 December 2008 –– During the monthly Security Council debate on the situation in the Middle East, Israeli Ambassador Gabriela Shalev discussed the complex issues facing Israel.

“On the one hand, Israel is trying to promote peace with the moderate, responsible leadership on the Palestinian side. On the other hand, Israel is fighting the extremist Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip,” stated the Ambassador.

While Ambassador Shalev noted that there have been important developments in the peace process in the West Bank –– including increased security cooperation and rising economic prospects –– Hamas rocket attacks against southern Israel remain a deeply troubling phenomenon that are holding the region back.

For the Ambassador’s full statement, click here.

16 December 2008 –– Israel is proud to announce the signing of a partnership framework agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The agreement represents a significant commitment to development and the largest commitment by Israel to a United Nations development agency.

“This agreement represents a significant commitment by Israel to improve the situation for those most in need,” said Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gabriela Shalev. “In cooperation with UNDP we can support national development plans and provide the developing world with access to a wealth of Israeli technology and expertise.”

The UNDP is the United Nations’ global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life.

11 December 2008 — As the UN General Assembly considered a report on the role of diamonds in fuelling conflict, Israel reiterated its support for international sanctions and mechanisms — including the Kimberley Process — designed to prevent “blood diamonds” from entering the global diamond trade.

“In our ongoing efforts to counteract these increasingly multifaceted conflicts, we must continue to confront the resources and funding that fuel such violence. Our efforts to eradicate blood diamonds remain a work in progress. We have achieved some notably successes, but much remains to be done,” stated Counselor Meirav Eilon Shahar for the Permanent Mission of Israel.

“Israel continues to support all relevant UN sanctions pertaining to conflict diamonds as these efforts –– combined with those in Kimberley Process states –– help dramatically diminish the number of conflict diamonds that enter the world diamond trade,” she continued.

11 December 2008 — The UN General Assembly considered a report on the positive role that sports can play to promote peace and development. Counselor Ilan Fluss addressed the gathering on behalf of Israel, noted that sports can “transcend our differences and reminds us that as human beings, we have far more that binds us together than draws us apart.”

“Many conflicts and development challenges can seem intractable. We must find new, dynamic ways of confronting difficulties, of building bridges between people,” stated Mr. Fluss.

10 December 2008 — As the United Nations celebrated the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Ambassador Gabriela Shalev called for the international community to “use the beacon of the Universal Declaration” to ensure that human rights become a reality for all.

Speaking on behalf of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG), Ambassador Shalev stated, “Today we pay tribute to those who drafted the Declaration, those who sought to establish a world where justice transcends oppression and where freedom rises above tyranny.”

“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to turn this hope into action, these ideals into achievements,” she continued.

For the Ambassador’s full statement, click here.

9 December 2008 — The UN Security Council held an open debate on threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts. On behalf of Israel, Ms. Meirav Eilon Shahar addressed the Council, noting that “terrorism is spreading at an alarming rate, expanding both in geography and in the audacity of the crimes.”

Ms. Eilon Shahar condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, including at the Mumbai Chabad house “where Israelis were singled out for cold-blooded murder.”

“We have the tools to combat terrorists, but what we are lacking is universal political will. There are some regions, some nations, that have not displayed the needed sense of urgency,” Ms. Eilon Shahar continued.

4 December 2008 –– Israel addressed the High-Level Conference on the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). The CERF is a stand-by fund established by the United Nations to enable more timely and reliable humanitarian assistance to those affected by natural disasters and armed conflicts.

“Over the years, Israel has developed specific expertise in disaster management and response, and views it as a responsibility to share these practices with the international community,” stated Ilan Fluss, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations.

“Israel has contributed to the CERF fund since its establishment, will do so this year, and will continue to do so,” Mr. Fluss continued.

3 December 2008 –– The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session at the request of Libya to discuss Israel’s decision to prevent a Libyan ship from sailing to the Gaza Strip.

While Libya claimed that Israel had conducted an act of “piracy” against the Libyan vessel, members of the Security Council called Libya’s accusations against Israel “absurd.” Israeli Ambassador Gabriela Shalev called the Libyan initiative a “provocative media event” designed to “distract the Security Council from addressing the dire problems of the international community.”

“If you, Libya, truly desire to provide humanitarian support to the civilians in the Gaza Strip, there are ways and means to do so. Many states, including those without diplomatic relations with Israel, and international organizations use these mechanisms to provide humanitarian relief for the Gaza Strip,” stated Ambassador Shalev.

1 December 2008 -- At the Follow-Up International Conference on Financing for Development to Review the Implementation of the Monterrey Consensus in Doha, Qatar, Mr. Haim Divon, head of MASHAV, Israel’s Center for International Cooperation, addressed the global gathering.

“The onus is now on the shoulders of all 192 member states and organizations present here in Doha to turn this meeting into a milestone in the joint global resolve to meet the Millennium Development Goals,” stated Mr. Divon.

“For its part, Israel remains committed to the Monterrey Consensus and to the Doha spirit, and will continue to enhance its efforts in many areas related to financing for development, including transfer of technology, capacity building, and creating partnerships,” he continued.