Israel to United Nations: Take action against Iran

       Iran is the single greatest threat to the world and the United Nations needs to take action against it immediately, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Ron Prosor told the Security Council in New York on Tuesday. “Never has it been so clear Iran is seeking to build a nuclear weapon,” said Prosor speaking at a regular meeting debating the “situation in the Middle East and the Palestinians question.” “Now is the time to act. Tomorrow is too late. The stakes are too high. The price of inaction is too great,” he said. Prosor cited the last International Atomic Energy Agency report saying it proved beyond all doubt that the Islamic Republic sought to obtain nuclear weapons. He said Tehran’s efforts to enrich uranium to 20 percent-levels at its reactor in Qom could serve no other plausible aim other than to develop an atomic bomb. The Israeli diplomat also rebuked Palestinian religious leader Muhammad Hussein who in a sermon broadcast on television last week told believers that killing Jews was “a sacred goal” for Muslims.” “His comments were deeply disturbing,” said Prosor. “But what was even more disturbing is that no one from the Palestinian Leadership stood up and condemned his comments, denounced his actions or dissociated themselves from his message.” US ambassador to the UN Susan Rice chose to highlight the start of direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians in Amman earlier this month, the first time the two sides have sat down for talks in years. She thanked Jordan for hosting the event and added “it is necessary we do everything we can to ensure progress.” The Permanent Observer of Palestine Riyad H. Mansour, who spoke before Prosor, placed the blame for the lack of progress in talks between Israel and the Palestinians squarely on the Israelis. “We spare no effort for peace despite the many obstacles imposed by the Israeli government,” Mansour said. He gave a long list of grievances accusing Israel of expelling Palestinians from the Jordan valley and violating human rights of Palestinian “shepherds and children.” He reiterated the Palestinian Authority’s bid to seek statehood status at the UN which is being debated saying it would be part of a two state solution. During the gathering the US ambassador to the UN also addressed events in Syria where ongoing violence between protesters and security forces have left thousands dead. Rice called again on the government of Bashar Assad to permit the access of observers to the restive country and respect human rights. She added that Washington was “concerned [about] recent reports of shipments of arms and munitions to the Syrian regime,” calling for an arms embargo.