(Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman)
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations has been instructed to submit an urgent protest to the duty president of the UN Security Council strongly condemning Palestinian violations of the November 25 cease-fire. The protest is to note that, since the cease-fire went into effect, 53 Kassam rockets have been fired into Israel, causing widespread shock trauma to residents and damage to property.
Israel strongly protests against the continued firing of Kassam rockets at its territory, despite the declared cease-fire and Israel's recent gestures to the Palestinian Authority, as a result of the meeting Saturday night (23 December) between Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas.
Israel's protest is to note that the continued firing of rockets is a grave assault on Israel's sovereignty and its citizenry, and to warn that it represents a serious danger to peace and security in the region, one that is liable to lead to a renewed conflagration between the sides.
Israel is to ask the Security Council to convey its serious protest and warning to the UN Secretary-General and to the Palestinian side, which it accuses of acts of provocation.
The formal protest is to note that no country in the world would tolerate the unceasing firing of rockets into its territory, and point out that Israel has the right to defend itself under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Israel has shown restraint and has refrained from responding at this stage, but is to warn the Security Council that such restraint cannot continue for long.
Over the past week, 24 Kassam rockets have been fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip. Those hitting the town of Sderot have wounded one resident, caused shock trauma to others, and damaged a bank and a nursery school.