NEW YORK—The United Nations General Assembly adopted this week a resolution, as part of an amendment to The Global Counter Terrorism Strategy, in wich it denounced the use of human shields by military organizations, as well as the use of “schools and hospitals, for military purposes such as launching attacks and storing weapons.”
The resolution was specifically aimed as Hamas, which has used human shields during its conflicts with Israel. Hamas terrorists have hidden behind women and children in hospitals and schools while launching rocket attacks on Israel.
The resolution, which explicitly condemns terror groups for the double war crime of hiding behind women and children while attacking civilians, decries the use of “schools and hospitals, for military purposes such as launching attacks and storing weapons,” as well as the use of “civilians to shield military objectives from attacks.”
The resolution is the result of a joint diplomatic effort by the Israeli and American missions to the United Nations aimed at getting the world body to condemn terrorist organizations such as Hamas.
“Today’s resolution is another important step in our efforts as we change the rules of the game at the UN,” said Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, “Less than two weeks ago, a plurality of members in the General Assembly voted to denounce Hamas, and now today’s resolution explicitly condemned terrorists for the despicable double war crime of hiding behind women and children while attacking civilians. There is much work to be done, but this milestone accomplishment brings us closer to the day when the UN will focus on truly bringing security and stability to the world,” the ambassador added.
World Jewish Congress President Ronald S.Lauder welcomed the resolution. “This is an important step forward in the global war on terror and a critical moral stance that will help bring security and stability to the Middle East and the wider world,” he said.