ISRAEL @ the UN

An Update of the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations

January 12, 2004

www.Israel-UN.org

Contents of this Edition:

-Ambassador Gillerman Welcomes General Assembly Special Session Commemorating Liberation of Nazi Concentraion Camps

- Ambassador Gillerman Sends Letter to Secretary-General Condemning

Latest Acts of Terrorism by Hezbollah

- Ambassador Gillerman Lends His Support to “Kids Helping Kids”

Initiative to Aid Tsunami Victims in Sri Lanka

Ambassador Gillerman Welcomes General Assembly Special Session

Commemorating Liberation of Nazi Concentration Camps

On 11 January 2005, Ambassador Dan Gillerman, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, welcomed the announcement by the Secretary General that a majority of Member States have now agreed to the request to convene, on 24 January 2005, a special session of the General Assembly to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camps. In recent weeks, over 110 countries have sent letters to the Secretary General, giving their support for the Session, including Muslim and Arab countries that do not maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.

Ambassador Gillerman commended those delegations who had led the initiative, particularly the United States, the European Union, the Russian Federation, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, as well as thanking the Secretary General for his own efforts.

“This historic and solemn event will be a milestone in the history of the United Nations,” he said. “It will be an important moment not just for Israel, or for the Jewish people, but for all of humanity, with one resounding message: ‘Never Again!’”

Ambassador Gillerman Sends Letter to Secretary-General Condemning

Latest Acts of Terrorism by Hezbollah

On 11 January 2005, Ambassador Dan Gillerman, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, sent a letter to the Secretary General of the United Nations condemning the latest acts of terror by the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon against Israeli targets.

On 9 January 2005, a Hezbollah incursion across the Blue Line lead to the death of a 23-year-old Israeli soldier, and when Israeli forces returned defensive fire, a French UN officer was killed in the ensuing firefight and a Swedish UN soldier was injured.

In the letter, Ambassador Gillerman wrote, “The timing of this latest attack, on the day of Palestinian elections, is no coincidence and follows a pattern of Hizbollah activity, sponsored by Iran and Syria, that is directly designed to thwart international efforts to improve the situation on the ground.”

For the full text of the letter, please see the website of the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations.

Ambassador Gillerman Lends His Support to “Kids Helping Kids”

Initiative to Aid Tsunami Victims in Sri Lanka

On 6 January 2005, Ambassador Dan Gillerman, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, participated in a joint press conference with the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations, to help launch the “Kids Helping Kids” campaign. With the cooperation of Sri Lankan Airlines, the program was initiated by the students and teachers of Rambam Mesivta High School in Lawrence, New York. It aims to encourage American children to aid their counterparts in those regions ravaged by the Tsunami.

At the press conference, Ambassador Gillerman spoke of the emergency aid that Israel had given to Sri Lanka, and that had been gratefully received by the Sri Lankan government and people.

ISRAEL @ the UN is the newsletter of the Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations. We welcome your feedback to this publication, as we work to ensure that it serves as an effective and valuable informational resource. Please forward all questions to the editor of ISRAEL @ the UN, Mr. Gregory Levey, at gregoryl@newyork.mfa.gov.il. The newsletter is also available online at the Israel Mission website www.Israel-UN.org. Thank you for your interest in our work at the United Nations.