The United Nations’ shameful statement after Israel’s defensive strikes in the Gaza Strip that began on December 27 demonstrates once again that the world body is predisposed to condemn Israel.

In a statement, the United Nations Security Council urged the parties to “stop immediately all military activities…which will open the way for finding a political solution to the problems existing in the context of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement.”

The United Nations body seems to believe that Israel has a willing partner for peace.  That is simply not the case.

The U.N., simply by saying both sides equally share blame for the situation, is not supporting Israel’s right to defend itself. There is a clear aggressor in this situation – Hamas – and the United Nations’ suggestion of equivalence ignores that reality. Once again, the U.N. has condemned Israeli defensive efforts to protect herself and her citizens, and excused and ignored the hundreds of Palestinian actions that sparked the confrontation. Since December 19, Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets and mortars at Israeli civilians. Israel’s counterterrorism strike against the ruthless terrorist group Hamas in the Gaza Strip was a just response to an untenable situation. The counterterrorism strikes against Hamas headquarters in the Gaza Strip began even as the terrorist group continued to launch rockets into Israel.

“It is the right of every nation to defend its citizens,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. “For years, Israelis have been subjected to Hamas’ wanton disregard for human lives.”

The United Nations once again has ignored the rampant disregard for human life exhibited by the terrorist group Hamas, which has continuously chosen violence instead of peace for the Palestinian people.  Hamas terrorists have long used the region as a staging ground for attacks against Israel – using civilians as human shields for terrorists to hide behind.  In fact, Hamas stepped up its attacks against Israel after Israel’s voluntary withdrawal from Gaza in 2005 – squandering an opportunity for the region to govern itself as a civil society.
 
As a non-governmental organization involved in the U.N. since its inception, and the only Jewish group with an office devoted exclusively to U.N. affairs, B’nai B’rith International can readily assess the incessant bias against Israel at the world body. 

B’nai B’rith urges the international community to join the United States in condemning Hamas as the instigator in this situation. “Israel has shown tremendous forbearance. It is now time for Israel to defend herself from terrorism,” B’nai B’rith International President Moishe Smith said. “No other nation on earth would be expected to endure attack after attack against its citizens.  The escalating violence in the region is cause for great concern. And we hope the international community will stand with Israel as she defends her people.”