Israeli UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman's 12.7.06 Letter to UN Secy.-Gen. Kofi
Annan
[Israel Foreign Ministry]

H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan
Secretary-General
United Nations

? 12 July 2006

Excellency,

It is with a great sense of urgency and grave concern that I write to you
this letter of strong protest about the grave events occurring today on
Israel's northern border with Lebanon. This morning, Hizbullah terrorists
unleashed a barrage of heavy artillery and rockets into Israel, causing a
number of deaths. In the midst of this horrific and unprovoked act, the
terrorists infiltrated Israel and kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, taking
them into Lebanon.

Responsibility for this belligerent act of war lies with the government of
Lebanon, from whose territory these acts have been launched into Israel.
Responsibility also lies with the governments of Iran and Syria, who support
and embrace those who carried out this attack.

These acts pose a grave threat not just to Israel's northern border, but
also to the region and the entire world. The ineptitude and inaction of the
government of Lebanon has led to a situation in which it has not exercised
jurisdiction over its own territory for many years. The Security Council has
addressed this situation time and time again in its debates and resolutions.
Let me remind you also that Israel has repeatedly warned the international
community about this dangerous and potentially volatile situation. In this
vacuum festers the Axis of Terror: Hizbullah and the terrorist states of
Iran and Syria, which have today opened another chapter in their war of
terror.

Today's act is a clear Declaration of War, and is in blatant violation of
the "Blue Line," United Nations Security Council resolutions 425, 1559,
1680, and all other relevant resolutions of the United Nations since Israel
withdrew from southern Lebanon in May 2000.

Israel thus reserves the right to act in accordance with United Nations
Charter Article 51, and exercise its right of self-defence when an armed
attack is launched against a member of the United Nations. The State of
Israel will take the appropriate actions to secure the release of the
kidnapped soldiers and bring an end to the shelling that terrorizes our
citizens.
I would be grateful if you would arrange to have the text of this letter
circulated as an official document of the sixtieth session of the General
Assembly, under agenda items 108, "Measures to Eliminate International
Terrorism," and 14, "The Situation in the Middle East." An identical letter
has been submitted to H.E. Mr. Jean-Marc de La Sablière, President of the
Security Council.

Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours truly,
Ambassador Dan Gillerman
Permanent Representative of Israel

Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations 800 Second Avenue New
York, NY 10017
Ph: (212) 499-5510 Fax: (212) 499-5516 israel-un@newyork.mfa.gov.il