World #2 – UN ambassadors tour area of Hezbollah tunnels from Lebanon into Israel

(Israel National News, YNet News and CBN News) – A delegation of 40 United Nations ambassadors traveled to Israel on Jan. 31 for a five-day visit led by Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon.

Prior to arriving in Israel, Ambassador Danon led the delegation on a visit to Poland. The ambassadors visited Warsaw and the Majdanek extermination camp, where they held a memorial service for the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.

“This week, I took dozens of #UN ambassadors to visit death camps in Poland, to witness one of the darkest periods in human history. These ambassadors will share their experiences, keeping alive the victims’ stories,” Danon said, adding that Israel is “the place that guarantees ‘Never Again!’”

During their stay in Israel, the UN ambassadors first toured the City of David archaeological site with Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon.

The following day, the delegation met with President Reuven Rivlin before flying (by helicopter) with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, from Jerusalem to the border with Lebanon border where the Israeli Army (IDF) discovered a Hezbollah terror tunnel in December.

During their meeting, Netanyahu stressed the Iranian chokehold on Lebanon through Hezbollah, the terrorist group they fund in Lebanon. He told the diplomats,

“Iran has many branches, one of them is Hezbollah, which has now joined the Lebanese government. … Hezbollah actually controls the Lebanese government and this means that Iran controls the Lebanese government. It is important to convey this powerful message — just as we prevented the terror tunnels from reaching Israel, we will thwart any aggression from Lebanon, Syria or Iran itself … We are committed to preventing this aggression and thus we are protecting not only Israel but also our neighbors and the peace of the entire world.”

Upon arrival at the border, the ambassadors were able to see first hand where the Israeli Army (IDF) had discovered the tunnel during Operation Northern Shield.  Engineering troops then gave them a tour of the tunnel using a robotic camera.

Ambassador Dannon briefed the group on the tunnels discovered by the IDF. He stressed that they entered under Israeli territory and that all operations were conducted in Israel and did not cross into Lebanon. He also stressed the high cost of their construction and the Iranian funding for them.

“The ambassadors hear a lot about our border with Lebanon and Hezbollah, but when you come here and see the tunnel, you cannot argue with the facts. The Iranian money reaches our border and threatens the citizens of Israel … We say clearly that Hezbollah has established its own state in south Lebanon, a state that advances terror operations against Israel. On the day we move to defend ourselves and the UN will want to condemn us, the ambassadors standing here will understand the reality,” Dannon said.

“Dozens of #UN ambassadors saw first-hand a result of Iran’s terror financing: Hezbollah terror tunnels into #Israel. This fight is not just a military one, but also diplomatic. The Security Council must designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization,” Danon posted on Twitter.

The Panamanian Ambassador Melitón Arrocha Ruíz said that he came to see firsthand the hostile activities against Israel:

“We will pass on what we saw and convey how Israel is thriving, open and democratic and that we all certainly share similar rule of law values,” he said.

South Sudan Ambassador Akuei Bona Malwal noted the importance of coming to see the facts on the ground:

“For those of us who work in NY and hear all sorts of things, the best way is to come and see and feel exactly what is happening. We came to Israel to see the challenges and how they are being handled.” The ambassador also pointed out the absurdity of the tunnels being dug under the nose of UN peacekeepers.

Danon hopes the ambassadors left with a deeper appreciation for Israel. He said that while there are many people who openly condemn Israel at the UN, many appreciate and “even admire” Israel behind closed doors.

“My challenge…is to close that gap and to ask them, push them to publicly recognize Israel,” he said.

Compiled from reports at Israel National News on Jan. 31, YNet News on Feb. 3 and CBN News on Feb. 4. Reprinted here for educational purposes only. May not be reproduced on other websites without permission.