U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikky Haley forcefully defend Israel’s reaction to the protests along the border with the Gaza Strip on Monday that resulted in as many as 60 Palestinian deaths.
“I ask my colleagues here in the Security Council: Who among us would accept this type of activity on your border?” she posed. “No one would. No country in this chamber would act with more restraint than Israel has.”
The emergency session at the Security Council was convened by Kuwait following the deaths of some 60 Palestinians along the border between Gaza and Israel on Monday, with many members of the council blaming the U.S. embassy relocation to Jerusalem as a cause of the violence.
“The unilateral decision by the United States to move its embassy to Jerusalem does nothing but inflame spirits,” said Sacha Llorenti, Bolivia’s envoy.
However, Haley shot back, saying that the embassy was a “cause for celebration” and “reflects the will of the American people.”
“It reflects our sovereign right to decide the location of our embassy. Importantly, moving our embassy to Jerusalem also reflects the reality that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. … Recognizing this reality makes real peace more achievable, not less.”
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon accused Iran of helping to foment the violence in Gaza, saying “we do have indications of Iranian funding into Hamas.”
“We know the riots are well-organized, well-funded and well-orchestrated by Hamas,” he added. “Iran is supporting the riots in Gaza.”
Danon also slammed Hamas’s actions, saying the Palestinian terror group “values destruction over prosperity, death over peace,” while saying Hamas deliberately put Palestinians in harm’s way to score propaganda points.
“What would you do, each one of you, if a violent mob of tens of thousands were threatening your sovereign borders?” Danon asked members of the Security Council. “What would you do if your people were faced with terror attacks day in and day out? You must not give in to the cycle of death the Palestinians have created. You must call out lies when you see them.”