US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Tuesday urged the UN Security Council to take a harder stance against Hamas resistance movement and state actors that support the Gaza-based group.
Haley told UN Security Council member states at a meeting that a resolution should be introduced to ensure there are “consequences” for backing Hamas which is designated a “terrorist organization” by Israel and the US. The latter has officially blacklisted Hamas since 1997.
“We should designate Hamas as a terrorist organization in a resolution with consequences for anyone who continues to support it” she added.
Haley a former South Carolina governor insisted that Hamas not Israel was responsible for the suffering of Gazans.
“Israel did not cause the problems in Gaza; no single Israeli settler has lived in Gaza for 10 years” she claimed. “We all would like to see Palestinians in Gaza receive the aid they need. But the responsibility rests squarely with the one group that actually controls Gaza — Hamas.”
“Hamas chooses to devote its resources to terrorism instead of governing and reaching peace” Haley claimed.
The international community and the Palestinians blame Israel for much of Gaza’s suffering pointing to the blockade placed on the enclave for ten years running. Israel tightly controls what can enter the Strip and often blocks humanitarian aid.
