(Communicated by Foreign Minister's Bureau)
Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Tzipi Livni met yesterday with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. FM Livni talked about the ongoing smuggling from Syria into Lebanon, calling it a flagrant violation of Security Council resolutions. Syria, she said, which seeks legitimization in the eyes of the world, needs to hear a clear statement from the Security Council holding it responsible for the smuggling. The smuggling endangers the entire region; its continuation contradicts Syria's commitments vis-à-vis the Security Council, and its cessation is not a favor to Israel, the Foreign Minister added.
Commenting on the Secretary General's concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, FM Livni said, "If one is looking to place responsibility for the situation in Gaza, the address is – Hamas. Hamas is responsible for what goes on in the Gaza Strip. The terrorism from Gaza continues, and no action should be taken that gives even the semblance of legitimacy to the regime or actions of Hamas."
Regarding the Durban Conference, FM Livni stated that Israel will boycott any conference that provides a platform for antisemitic and anti-Israel activity. The UN must not host such activity once again, she said. FM Livni called on the Secretary General to release a clear, moral statement on this issue as soon as possible.