Ambassador Gillerman’s final speech to the United Nations - after 5.5 years of sevice.

22 July 2008 - Israel joined the Security Council’s open debate on the “Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”. The meeting was one of the tri-monthly open debates held by the Council.

Ambassador Dan Gillerman, Permanent Representative, began his statement explaining, “I have prepared a speech for this meeting, which I will submit to you because some very good people worked very hard on it, and I think it is a very good speech that should be read by everybody. But as this is most probably my last appearance before you, as Permanent Representative of the State of Israel, I would like to take this opportunity to speak to you from the heart, rather than the written word”. (Click the above links to read the circulated text and Amb. Gillerman’s extemporaneous remarks ).

During his final statement, Ambassador Gillerman highlighted the challenges that will face the Council, including the issue of extremism within the world of Islam. He urged the Council to deal with the world’s real problem — that there was no clash of civilizations, but only a “clash of civilization”.

In closing, Ambassador Gillerman made one final promise. “It has been a honour for me to serve with you and I want on this very special occasion to make one more pledge to you. For whatever happens, for whatever you discuss, whatever transpires, Israel will prevail”.

Prior to his depature from his post at the UN, Ambassador Dan Gillerman was interviewed in and on a variety of publications and television programmes including The New York Times, Newsweek, the Jerusalem Post, and the BBC’s Hard Talk.

Israel addresses one-sided Economic and Social Council resolutions
July 2008 - The Economic and Social Council concluded its work for the 2008 resumed session. During this session, two politically motivated resolutions concering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict were tabled, one coming by the way of the Commission on Status of Women and the other to the general Council.

In an statement of explanation of position on the draft resolution “Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women”, Ms. Meirav Eilon-Shahar, Counsellor, noted that “this is the only resolution at the Commission on the Status of Women that addresses a specific political situation; there are no other geographically or politically specific resolutions“. Israel called for delegations to vote against its adoption.

In an statement of explanation of position on the draft resolution concerning economic and social conditions of the Palestinians, Mr. Ilan Fluss, Counsellor, called on delegations not to support the resolution as “this resolution and agenda item, which deal with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict according to a singular narrative and in a selective, biased, and one-sided manner, do not belong in ECOSOC“.

Israel joins debate on “Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict”

17 July 2008 - Israel joined the Security Council’s semi-annual debate on “Children and Armed Conflict”, delivering a statement in the Council following an oral report by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict.

Ms. Meirav Eilon-Shahar, Counsellor, delivered a statement highlighting the importance of the issue, while emphasizing the outstanding challenges. “Children are primary victims in many cases of armed conflict. They are its targets and - increasingly - its instruments. While the United Nations has focused on the issue of children and armed conflict since the 1993 Machel report, and in the Security Council with the adoption of resolution 1261 (1999) and 1612 (2005) creating an effective monitoring and reporting mechanism, children are still involved in armed conflict as soldiers, with an alarming increase in cases of sexual violence and the culture of impunity“.

Israel addresses Economic and Social Council during high level debate

3 July 2008 - Israel delivered a statement during the high-level segment of the opening session of the 2008 session of the Economic and Social Council at UN headquarters in New York.

Addressing the ECOSOC high level, Ambassador Daniel Carmon, Charge d’Affaires of the Permanent Mission of Israel, highlighted the areas of interest for the Israeli delegation. “ECOSOC must demonstrate its commitment to holistically address the global food crisis. The special meeting convened on the issue, participation in the recent summit in Rome, and the task force established by the Secretary-General, are indeed positive steps forward. Yet maintaining an output that meets the global demand remains a challenge. Hence, my delegation suggests an increased focus on agriculture and the development of technology and know-how for the benefit of developed and developing countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa“, he said. .
Israel protests terrorist attack in Jerusalem

2 July 2008 - Israel wrote a letter of complaint to the President of the Security Council following the terrorist attack in Jerusalem earlier today.
“The timing of this brutal terrorist attack, amidst continued negotiations with the Palestinian Authority, underscores the extent that the extremists will go to murder and maim Israeli civilians and destroy all efforts to secure peace and stability in the region. Moreover, this attack reveals, yet again, the malignant hatred for Israelis and gross zeal to commit acts of violence and terrorism that has disturbingly taken root in some parts of Palestinian society, which greatly threaten the prospects for genuine peace, reconciliation, and mutual understanding. Indeed, Hamas and other terrorist groups have already justified this vicious act of terrorism, inciting others and laying the groundwork for more violence, hatred, and suffering”, wrote Ambassador Daniel Carmon, Charge d’Affaires, of the Permanent Mission of Israel.
He went on “to point out that today’s terrorist attack occurred only hundreds of meters away from the Mercaz Harav yeshiva, where on 6 March 2008, a terrorist infiltrated the seminary’s library and study hall and killed eight young men. If you recall, the Council could not reach consensus and condemn that unquestionable act of terrorism due to the political opposition of one Member State in particular. This was in spite of the Secretary-General’s own unqualified condemnation and the efforts of many Council members and the Council’s longstanding practice to condemn terrorism”.

Gabriela Shalev appointed next Permanent Representative

On 20 June 2008, the Israeli government  approved the appointment of Professor Gabriela Shalev - chosen in a joint decision by PM Olmert and FM Livni - as Israel’s  next permanent reprsentative to the UN.

At the Cabinet meeting, FM Livni said, “Ambassador Dan Gillerman is completing an excellent term as Israel’s ambassador at the UN. His talents enabled him to successfully confront the challenges of his term, complex and difficult situations that included the Second Lebanon War, the Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip, and the Iranian issue. His performance inspired the admiration of the other ambassadors as well as of the international media, in which he succeeded in conveying Israel’s message clearly and fluently, representing Israel with dignity.”

Regarding Professor Shalev, FM Livni said, “It was important to me to appoint a woman to represent Israel in such an important place. In addition, her extraordinary talents will enable her to deal with the challenges facing Israel. Professor Shalev is internationally respected; she has fulfilled many public positions in Israel, and the appointment committee determined that her impressive reputation and background, as well as her personality, make her a fitting candidate for the position of ambassador to the UN. I am confident of her ability to represent Israel faithfully, and I wish her success.”

Previously, Prof. Shalev served as President of the Academic Council and Rector of Ono Academic College in Israel. Until her early retirement in 2002, she was a full professor of contract law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and has taught contract law and comparative law in universities across the United States, Europe, and Canada. She is a leading expert in Israel in the fields of contract law and procurement contracts.

Prof. Shalev has provided legal advice and wrote legal opinions for public institutions, arbitrators, and lawyers, in Israel and around the world. She was the Chief Legal Editor of the Judgments of the Supreme Court of Israel and legal editor of the Hebrew Encyclopedia. She has been awarded numerous awards for academic legal research, including the Sussman Prize for Law (1989), the Zeltner Prize for Law (1991), and the Israel Bar Association prize (2003).

Prof. Shalev has written nine books and over one hundred articles in Hebrew and in English, mostly on contract law.  She recently published her latest book Contract Law - General Part, Towards Codification of the Civil Law, which is an updated version of her works on contract law in Israel. Prof. Shalev’s contract law textbook is the standard textbook used in law schools and law offices throughout Israel.

In addition to her academic achievements, Prof. Shalev has substantial experience in the public and private sector. Prior to her appointment, she served as chairperson of the audit committees of Bank Hapo’alim and the Israel Electric Company, as well as on the boards of Ma’ariv; the Hadassah Medical Organisation, Fibi Holdings Co.; Koor Industries; Osem Investments; Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.; and Delek Ltd. Group.