12 November 2008 –– Before a high level General Assembly debate titled “Culture of Peace”, H.E. Mr. Shimon Peres, President of the State of Israel, called on the forces of moderation and tolerance to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East.

“Earlier this week, we commemorated 13 years since the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin – my friend and partner to our journey [of peace]”, stated President Peres. “Assassins may take a life, but they cannot kill a dream”, he continued.

The meeting –– organized at the initiative of Saudi Arabia –– featured many heads of state and world leaders, including President Peres and Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister Tzipi Livni.

“Alas, we cannot change the past,” continued the President. “However, we can build and shape our future. This seems more feasible today in light of the Saudi proposal which evolved into an Arab peace initiative”.

For the President’s full statement, click here.

12 November 2008 –– Speaking before the United Nations Security Council, Minister Counsellor Amir Weissbrod addressed Israel’s support for the subsidiary bodies set up by the Council in its counter terrorism efforts.

“Terrorism as a global phenomenon is multifaceted. It carries multiple identities. It is viewed both as a battlefield and an enemy, a weapon and a method of warfare, a strategy and a tactic, a means and an end. Terrorism knows no borders and is not confined by archaic boundaries”, stated Mr. Weissbrod.

In his assessment before the Council, Mr. Weissbrod applauded the UN’s efforts to combat terrorism and coordinate counter terrorism mechanisms, including its work to stem the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

“Israel for its part will continue to actively engage in the work of the counter terrorism Committees of the Council and to fully support their work…Like all states, for Israel to be successful against terrorism, the international community must be successful against terrorism”, concluded Mr. Weissbrod.

10 November 2008 –– On the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, Ambassador Gabriela Shalev addressed a special ceremony organized at the United Nations by the Holocaust and UN Outreach Programme of the Department of Public Information.

“Kristallnacht did not begin with the burning of synagogues. It did not begin with the destruction of Jewish stores and shops. It did not start with the murder of innocent Jews. That is how it ended. Kristallnacht began with the words of men. It began in the hearts and minds of the Nazis. The genocide against the Jewish people began with words”, stated Ambassador Shalev at the somber gathering.

“And so at the Untied Nations, we must never forget the enormous power of the words we utter. We must never allow ourselves the false comfort of attributing little value to the language of those who seek to spread hatred, racism, anti-Semitism, and other vile forms of bigotry”, continued the Ambassador.

6 November 2008 –– Minister Counsellor Amir Weissbrod of the Permanent Mission of Israel noted Israel’s serious disagreements and concerns with the Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People.

Mr. Weissbrod stated, “Israel believes that the work of the Special Committee is utterly divorced from reality. The text before us portrays a biased and anachronistic picture of the situation in the region, where the rights of only one side are acknowledged. We call upon the some of Israel’s greatest critics to take real, constructive measures in order to assist and support the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in their attempt to end their decades-long, bloody conflict. Unfortunately, the work of the Special Committee does not constitute such a measure”.

3 November 2008 –– Speaking before the Third Committee, Mr. Tibor Shalev Schlosser of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs addressed the United Nations' efforts against racism.

“Racism and xenophobia are as old as recorded history. While we cannot erase the wrongs of the past, we can do everything within our power to end blind hatred directed against any person or group. Israel is committed to this principle, and it has ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination”, stated Mr. Shalev Schlosser.

“Veiled anti-Semitism, often in the guise of anti-Zionism, must be unmasked. Such invective – such racism – as we have heard from the leaders of some nations must never be mistaken for ordinary political discourse”, Shalev Schlosser continued.

4 November 2008 –– Speaking before the plenary of the General Assembly, Ambassador Daniel Carmon, Deputy Permanent Representative, noted Israel’s disappointment with the UN Human Rights Council. “Today we consider the second report of the Human Rights Council”, said Ambassador Carmon, “a report that reflects how far the Council has drifted from its founding principles of impartiality, universality, non-selectivity, and objectivity”.

Criticizing the work and methods of the Council, Carmon stated, “Israel will not sit by idly and acquiesce as the Human Rights Council eschews the principles of balance and fairness. Israel will not remain silent as the Council prejudges the outcome of its findings and determines in advance Israel’s culpability in a cynical and methodical manner”.

3 November 2008 — In a somber, powerful message to the General Assembly, Israel’s Permanent Representative Gabriela Shalev told the United Nations that “Holocaust remembrance must be a dynamic and ongoing effort that requires our commitment to adapt the lessons of the Nazi genocide to evolving threats in our time”.

Speaking only a week before the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, Ambassador Shalev applauded the United Nations’ work to commemorate the Holocaust. However, the Ambassador called on Member States to confront and combat the dangerous emergence of Holocaust denial and virulent anti-Semitism.

“In the end, the Nazi Holocaust did not begin in the gas chambers”, stated Shalev. “That is where it ended. The Nazi Holocaust began with the dangerous words of men”.

30 October 2008 –– A high level task force convened at the United Nations to discuss the global financial crisis. The chairman of the task force, Mr. Joseph Stiglitz, called for a “global solution” to the ongoing worldwide problem.

Counsellor Ilan Fluss of the Permanent Mission of Israel addressed the high level gathering. “It is clear that, given the international scope of the crisis and the system out of which it grew, the United Nations has to discuss the issue and understand how to minimize its negative impacts and prevent such devastating shocks in the future”, Mr. Fluss stated.

30 October 2008 –– Calling for greater protection of women’s rights and participation in public life, Ambassador Gabriela Shalev addressed the Security Council’s open debate on women and peace and security.

Highlighting Israel’s commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1325, Ambassador Shalev stated, “Israel features women in significant and meaningful positions of influence and authority, including the Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Speaker of the Knesset, to name just a few”.

Turning to the issue of violence against women –– in particular rape and sexual violence –– Ambassador Shalev spoke out forcefully. “Sadly, across certain parts of the world,” she stated, “we witness violence and continuing discrimination against women. In some countries, women and girls are subject to stoning, rape, and violent repression. The international community should always and consistently confront and condemn such violations of basic human rights”.

30 October 2008 –– Addressing the Fourth Committee’s consideration of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Mrs. Aviva Raz-Shechter expressed Israel’s disappointment with the one-sided and selective tone of the most recent report.

“Israel recognizes that UNRWA’s mandate to contribute to the human development of Palestinian refugees is commendable, and Israel furthermore will continue to facilitate the work of UNRWA, while at the same time ensuring Israel’s legitimate security concerns. However, our delegation’s position is that the report we reviewed yesterday continues a long tradition of unbalanced and one-sided reports”, stated Mrs. Raz-Shechter.

“Despite the repeated attacks against border crossings and the killing and injuring of Israelis as they provide humanitarian aid to Gaza, Israel will continue to offer such assistance. While Israel’s aid is not always appreciated in various fora for the sake of political correctness, on the ground Israel will continue this aid to UNRWA and the Palestinians as a top priority assignment”, she continued.