Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan dramatically held up a poster bearing the phone number of Hamas’ central office on the United Nations floor Tuesday and urged other members to call if they want a “real ceasefire” in Gaza.
Erdan made the impassioned plea shortly before the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Palestinian territory and the release of all hostages.
Israel, the US and eight other countries opposed the resolution.
“I honestly don’t know how can someone look in the mirror and support a resolution that doesn’t condemn Hamas and doesn’t even mention Hamas by name. But you know what? I have an idea. If you want a real ceasefire, here is the right address,” Erdan said before whipping out the sign.
The sign — titled “For a ceasefire dial” — featured the phone number for Hamas’ office in the Gaza Strip and a photo of the group’s leader Yahya Sinwar, whom Erdan urged listeners to ask for with the peace demand.
“Tell Hamas to put down their arms, turn themselves in and return our hostages. This will bring a complete ceasefire that will last forever,” Erdan proclaimed.
Erdan reiterated Israel’s longstanding call for its relentless bombing and invasion of Gaza, and said the nation would not halt its mission until Hamas concedes.
He then emphasized that the non-binding resolution, which passed with 153-10, would carry no weight in Israel’s ramped-up attacks in Gaza.
“No piece of paper, especially one that is adopted by a biased politicized majority will prevent Israel from defending itself against those that seek our destruction,” he continued.
“Israel is fighting a war for her future. There is not a single Member State here — not a single Member State here — that would act differently in a similar situation.”
The resolution received the majority approval just days after the US vetoed a resolution in the Security Council demanding a humanitarian ceasefire.
The Biden administration has instead repeatedly called for Israel to protect Palestinian civilians, while also approving an emergency sale of 14,000 rounds of ammunition to Israel.
Gaza’s health ministry reported 350 people killed on Thursday, and on Friday it said the death toll from Israel’s campaign in Gaza had risen to 17,487.
With Post wires