Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Avigdor Lieberman spoke today (Tuesday, 1 June 2010) with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon following the UN Security Council resolution of this morning. FM Lieberman stated that the hypocrisy and double standards taking root in the international community regarding Israel are to be regretted.

FM Lieberman reminded the Secretary General that in the past month alone 500 people were killed in various incidents in Thailand, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq and India, while the international community remained silent and passive, and generally ignored the occurrences, while Israel is condemned for unmistakably defensive actions.

FM Lieberman emphasized to Secretary General Ban that the subject of yesterday’s incident was the basic right of Israeli soldiers to defend themselves against an attack by a gang of thugs and terror supporters who had prepared clubs, metal crowbars and knives in advance of the confrontation.

FM Lieberman added that the initial intention of the flotilla participants was to strike at Israel’s sovereignty and create a provocation that would cause bloodshed. All of Israel’s proposals to the Turkish government to transfer the humanitarian aid in an orderly manner were rejected by the flotilla’s organizers in precisely the same manner that they refused to approach the Hamas government with a request to permit the Red Cross to visit Gilad Shalit.

FM Lieberman stated that in light of this, the Security Council resolution is unacceptable and contributes nothing to the promotion of peace and stability in the Middle East.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem / Communicated by the Foreign Minister’s Bureau)