General Assembly
Statement by
Ms. Ady Schonmann
Legal Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mr. Chairman,
As this is the first time my delegation takes the floor, allow me to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of this committee, together with the members of the Bureau, and to express our appreciation for your work in preparing this session.
My delegation has followed this item with particular interest and involvement since it was first introduced to the agenda of the Sixth Committee in 1972, following the brutal massacre of 11 Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics.
Since that time the United Nations, and the Sixth committee, can take satisfaction in some important achievements in the international effort to confront terrorism. These include the conclusion of a series of counterterrorism instruments – and Israel is pleased to be able to report that it has ratified two more of the counterterrorism treaties this past year. They also include the establishment of important coordinating bodies such as the CTC and repeated clear statements supporting the principle that no perceived cause or grievance can ever justify the deliberate murder of civilians. These are important steps, but they remain small ones in the face of the increasing challenges facing us.
Mr. Chairman,
While the nations of the world have been engaging in debate and discussion on ways to confront the threat of terrorism, the terrorist themselves have not been standing still. They have been increasing their capacity and their reach. And in a cynical mockery of international cooperation, we have been witness to cooperation between terrorist groups, even those from entirely different parts of the world with entirely different agendas. Together they train operatives, trade expertise in death, and cooperate in the perpetration of atrocities. Truly this is a diabolical alliance of those whose only common bond is a willingness to murder the innocent in pursuit of their goals.
Our repose to this network must be a resolve to counter and even exceed the cooperation between terrorist organizations with cooperation between States committed to challenging this threat. This cooperation must not remain simply at the level of lip service, but must reflect focus and resolve and deal with practical solutions. Israel is pleased to have engaged in intensive bilateral counterterrorism dialogue with a number of states facing similar threats, and we are committed to continuing and expanding this crucial cooperation.
Mr. Chairman,
Beyond the advice and support terrorist groups receive from each other, we must also address the even more dangerous support they receive from State sponsors. State sponsorship of terrorist groups, including the provision weapons, training and funds, as well as hosting headquarters, create a lethal cocktail in which groups which have no respect for any humanitarian principles are empowered with military capabilities previously only found in the arsenals of sovereign states.
The response of the international community to such states must be forthright: sponsoring terrorism and permitting terrorist groups to act with impunity from one's territory are not among the prerogatives of sovereignty.
But more than this, it is crucial that the international community address not only active support for terrorist groups, but also passive support. In the fight against terrorism, neutrality is simply not an option. Acquiescence to the operation of terrorist groups within one's borders, or the passage of arms, ammunition and funding across one's territory, is not being neutral – it is being an accomplice to terror. Our response to such support must be resolute and united.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, my delegation notes that, even with cooperation and state support, terrorism does not take root in a vacuum. The recruitment of individuals in order to perpetrate acts of terrorism, and especially suicide terrorism, is integrally bound up with the phenomenon of incitement. Too little attention has thus far been paid to the role played by incitement in fostering the kind of culture in which terrorism can flourish.
The calls to address the underlying causes of terrorism, are too often a poorly disguised attempt to justify the unjustifiable. Any honest discussion of the underlying factors must address the problems of incitement, intolerance and the lack of democracy which feed a culture of hate that glorifies murder as martyrdom. These factors play a primary role in making innocent life a legitimate target, and in nurturing the kind of extremism that prevents the peaceful resolution of political conflicts.
The fight against terrorism must focus not only on the immediate threat of weapons and ammunitions, but also the no less real threat posed by schoolbooks filled with vicious hatred, television programs rife with bloodthirsty songs, and official indoctrination that dehumanizes and demonizes and deprives a new generation of the possibility of even contemplating peaceful coexistence. Only by confronting extremism and rejectionism can we create an environment in which terrorism will not find fertile soil.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, let me emphasize that while the absence of a consensus definition of what constitutes terrorism undermines the legitimacy of the UN and state practice in dealing with this threat, we should not sacrifice effectiveness and principle to a false image of consensus. Inasmuch as we wish to see the comprehensive convention concluded at the earliest opportunity possible, it should not come at the expense of diluting the principles that stand to make it an effective tool in the fight against terrorism.
Thank you.
