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STATEMENT BY BEFORE THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Mr. President, Allow me to begin by extending my delegation’s congratulations to you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for the month of July. We are convinced that with your commitment and diplomatic skill, our deliberations will result in a positive outcome. I should also like to express our appreciation to your distinguished predecessor, the Permanent Representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, H.E. Mr. Mikhail Wehbe for his excellent leadership in presiding over the work of the Council last month. Our meeting today is occasioned by another in a series of acts of aggression by Israel, this time the air attack that took place the Gaza Strip. Fifteen people, including nine children, have reportedly been killed, with over one hundred others wounded. We condemn this brazen act which, from the perspective of international norms and values, featured a crime against humanity. The attack was also an obvious violation of international law and a betrayal to the on-going peace process. Such a selfish attitude, again, represent the arrogant behavior of the Israeli Government. As the Secretary-General has pointed out, it is the legal and moral responsibility of Israel to take measures to avoid the loss of civilian lives. On the contrary, in using a missile with indiscriminate assault against a civilian facility, loss of life could have been the inevitable result, and indeed it was. Each of these attacks further exacerbates the grave humanitarian problems of the Palestinian people, and the latest attack is certain to make things much worse. We call on Israel, once again, not to be blinded by its military might. There can be no military resolution to this situation. We emphasize the need for the implementation of resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002) in bringing this intolerable situation to an end. We further reiterate that only the realization of two states, Palestine and Israel living side by side within secure, internationally-recognized borders, as provided for in resolution 1397 (2002) can end the perpetual violence in the Occupied Territories. We also support the ongoing international effort of peace process based on Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) and 338 (1973), and on the principle of land for peace. Finally, Mr. President, we once again stress the urgent need to deploy an international security force to protect innocent civilians in the conflict-ridden areas. We call on the Security Council to discharge its responsibility and put an end both to Israeli aggression and its illegal occupation. Thank you, Mr. President.
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