Israeli Ambassador Shemi Tzur on rocket fire from Gaza

Thursday, Oct 25, 2012, 5pm
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Statement by Israeli Ambassador Shemi Tzur on today’s media reports of continuous rocket fire from Gaza towards Israeli civilian populations. Ambassador Tzur stressed the following:

For several days, the residents of southern Israel have been under yet another bombardment from Gaza.

Since midnight, more than 70 rockets and mortars have been fired on Israel, severely injuring 3 workers from Thailand and causing extensive damage to civilian houses and other buildings.

Yesterday, an IDF soldier was seriously wounded by a roadside bomb planted by terrorists on the Gaza border.

Once again, due to the attacks on Israel’s civilian population, schools had to be closed and children are forced to stay near shelters.

1. So far, Israel has demonstrated restraint, however it cannot allow its civilians to be targeted without response. Israel will not tolerate a million citizens living in terror under sustained missile attacks.

2. Israel expects the international community to condemn the indiscriminate targeting of Israeli civilians, a war crime.

3. Hamas, which rules in Gaza, is responsible for the violence emanating from the Gaza Strip.

4. Obviously, Hamas, a terrorist organization, has chosen to funnel its resources to violence rather than the care of the people of Gaza.

5. The Gaza Strip is not under Israeli occupation. Israel evacuated it completely in 2005 and has no claims whatsoever on that territory.

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The ambassador also wishes to draw your attention to excerpts of President Peres’ on the same issue (included below).

The Rocket Fire from Gaza – Excerpts from President Shimon Peres’ Remarks

President Shimon Peres conducted a work meeting this afternoon (Wednesday, 24 October 2012) with the European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton. The meeting took place at the President's Residence in Jerusalem.

Speaking about the current situation in southern Israel President Peres said, "You are here during a terrible situation. Right now as we are sitting there are a million people, mothers and children, are sitting in shelters and being bombed. Nobody in Europe, Asia, America or anywhere else would agree to that day after day. We are behaving with a great deal of patience, we don't want to see anyone being killed in Gaza, but no-one in the world could agree to the current situation. In my eyes to stop the bloodshed here and to stop the danger in Iran are the two main calls of our time. For the sake of their people and of ours."

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