Statement of Israeli Ambassador David Roet at UN's Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy Review

"I would like to begin my remarks by extending my deepest condolences to the people of Turkey after the attack in Istanbul this week.

Every life lost is a tragedy and every terror attack must be strongly condemned.

The state of Israel stands shoulder to shoulder with the Turkish people in this joint battle against Terrorism.

This 5th biennial review of the global counter-terrorism strategy is an important resolution that will affect all states and all peoples.

Today, we, in the General Assembly, have a historic opportunity to make an impact on the pressing issue of counter-terrorism.

In the negotiations preceding, most states came to the table with the understanding that this resolution was a way to draft a unified response to the challenges of global terrorism.

However, it seems, not all states had the same objective in mind for this resolution.

There are some that aimed to inject a language that would only serve to create division in the international community, rather than foster unity about this important subject.

Amazingly, in one of the drafts of the Counter-Terrorism resolution, we saw the OIC representative shamefully use this opportunity to excuse and legitimize terrorism.

They proposed that killing in the name of, and-I-quote, "self-determination and national liberation does not constitute terrorism" (End of quote)

let me repeat again, terrorism for the sake of "self-determination and national liberation does not constitute terrorism" according to this absurd logic.

This is an absolute outrage.

Just yesterday, as New York was waking up, the state of Israel was already confronted with two terror attacks perpetrated by terrorists.

Hallel Yaffa Ariel, a 13 year old girl, was enjoying her summer holiday just like millions of children around the world,

She was calm - and tranquil in the one place a child should feel safest...her own bed.

She was asleep when a Palestinian terrorist entered her home and viciously and repeatedly stabbed her to death.

Only two days ago this young girl was performing at a dance recital, and yesterday, she was buried by her father, her mother and her two sisters.

This morning, as we were sipping our morning coffees on our way to work, a family of four was shot in cold blood while in their car.

The Father was killed, the mother is severely injured and the children, one of them only a year old, are both injured, and in grave danger of becoming orphans.

In this despicable reality: one day, two parents have to bury their child, and the next, two children have to bury their father.

Let me ask you: Do these murders not constitute terrorism?

Do these attackers not constitute as terrorists?

Does Hallel Yaffa's life matter any less than any of those in Paris, Brussels, Istanbul or Orlando?

Mr. President, The United Nations must decide if it wants to be a relevant actor in facing the challenges that terrorism poses in the 21st century, or does it want to cave in-to narrow political interests of some states?

It is unacceptable for there to be one definition of terrorism for the international community and another definition for my country.

This sort of double standard would surely not be tolerated against any other state.

As a unified group, it is imperative that we all act decisively in order to combat terrorism.

Staying silent or getting distracted over the politics of resolutions will achieve exactly the opposite and embolden our enemies.

As we speak, terrorist groups like Daesh, Hezbollah, Hamas, Boko Haram and others, are distorting justice in the name of a skewed ideology in order to justify the murder of innocent people.

These groups continue to make a mockery of the values-and-principles that this institution holds so dear.

They celebrate and glorify terror against civilians, They prey on people's insecurities, and are willing to use the most violent and brutal of tactics to achieve their goals.

Global Terrorism is a disease that intimidates our families...uproots our communities ...and threatens all nation states.

And in the face of increasing globalization, the challenges have become more steadfast.

Today, it is easier than ever for an average person to become radicalized. All it takes to major in terrorism 101 is the internet, a smartphone and a YouTube account.

By 2015, more than 30,000 foreign fighters have fled their countries and homes all over the world to join Daesh and their likes in Iraq.

They are inspired by manipulative leadership, vile images and propaganda meant to incite The United Nations must take further action against this growing threat. We can no longer be satisfied with 'watered down' resolutions negotiated to reach the lowest common ground.

Mr. President,

For too long we have had to bear the brunt of destructive terrorism. Today, Israel is facing the threat of terror attacks on all its borders.

Inthe South, Hamas is preparing for the next round of conflict by building an ever growing sophisticated weapons infrastructure- above ground and below.

Hamas has previously shown its willingness to position its rockets alongside the civilian population of Gaza under hospitals and in the vicinity of schools and UN facilities.

Hamas is also reconstructing its offensive tunnel system which sole purpose is to perpetrate more stabbings... kidnappings ... and terror attacks on the people of Israel.

While Israelis live under the shadow of threat from Hamas in the south, they also see the dark cloud of Hezbollah in the North.

As we approach ten years since the second Lebanon War with Hezbollah, the situation has not gotten better, it has gotten worse.

Hezbollah has transformed villages in Southern Lebanon into terror outposts and military infrastructures.

Before the war in 2006, Hezbollah had 15 thousand rockets and today they have amassed more than 130 thousand rockets.

The situation is so grave that in some villages there are even more rocket stations than houses.

Mr. President,

Wherever there is terror, there is Iran.

Iran backs and supports Hezbollah' s operations and activities.

This path of funding is no secret and Hezbollah officials don't even intend to hide their footprints.

Just recently, Hezbollah Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah said, and I quote "Hezbollah's budget and funds come directly from the Islamic Republic of Iran and as long as Iran has money we will have money."

Mr. President,

When states create and fund vicious networks that incite and inspire terror we must come together to form an even stronger counter-terrorism network.

It is our duty as member states to eradicate one of the main factors that lead to terrorism which is the worldwide incitement and indoctrination delivered by political, communal and social leaders.

Mr. President,

When states create and fund vicious networks that incite and inspire terror we must come together to form an even stronger counter-terrorism network.

It is our duty as member states to eradicate one of the main factors that lead to terrorism which is the worldwide incitement and indoctrination delivered by political, communal and social leaders.

Our teachings should promote an education that preaches peace instead of hate, tolerance instead of violence and mutual understanding instead of martyrdom.

If we fail in this strategy to fight these distorting extremist narratives and networks we simply open the door to more terror."