Shortly after its adoption, United Nations Security Council Resolution 1860, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, was simultaneously rejected by Hamas and Israeli officials. It was clear from hearing Ms. Simona Frankel, Consul General of Israel, in an interview granted to Nice-Premium before her conference organized by CRIF South-East at the Hôtel Negresco in Nice, that this decision was anticipated. And the reasons for it were discussed. Coming from Marseille to clarify the position of the State of Israel, the diplomat, in office since 2007, asserts that this “war is not directed against the Palestinians, nor against the Muslim Arabs.” Disconnecting it from the Middle Eastern issues, she specifies, “it is a specific war against a terrorist organization, Hamas.” Asked about the ongoing discussions at the UN on the evening of her intervention in Nice, she adds: “We need to find a solution, through peace -or war if necessary- the sole objective being a ceasefire that ensures lasting security guarantees for the inhabitants of Israel.” From her statements, it is clear that the State of Israel will not be satisfied with just halting hostilities, “a cease-fire lasting a few months which has shown,” according to her, “to serve Hamas’ rearmament.” Should we consider a “long war” in the words of the Israeli Security Cabinet? The diplomat indeed speaks of the prospect of a conflict “until a permanent solution and guarantee” against rocket fire from the Gaza Strip is reached. The “temporary truce” desired by the international community cannot, under these circumstances, be on the agenda. As images of civilians falling victim to Israeli bombings are increasingly being shown, Simona Frankel responds: “Hamas leaders hide among innocent civilians.” She specifies: “We know, for example, that Hamas leaders are hiding in the basements of Shifa Hospital in Gaza, in certain schools, and that mosques are filled with weaponry and ammunition.” Regarding rocket fire from southern Lebanon, “Israel was expecting it,” says the representative of the State of Israel, adding that “it does not plan to respond to this Palestinian provocation” which she attributes to the “PFLP-GC of Ahmed Jibril, based in Damascus.”
Commenting on the recent tour of the region by the French president, the diplomat acknowledges that “Nicolas Sarkozy is a close friend of Israel, whom we listen to with attention.” However, she counterposes to the head of state the same arguments he used about friends to declare: “but being friends does not mean that we always agree.” It appears that unlike the international community, which focuses its attention on the humanitarian consequences of the military operations, the State of Israel persists in pursuing an objective: “We do not wish for war for the sake of war,” states Simona Frankel, but “it is necessary to stop the ammunition trafficking through the Rafah tunnels and to end the Iranian support” that fuels it. When asked if, in her opinion, Egypt is taking the necessary measures, Simona Frankel recognizes “an understanding on the Egyptian side,” even “firmness” on an issue of which President Mubarak is aware “could turn against him.”
A few minutes later, the information conference organized by CRIF South-East began, attended by the representative of the State of Israel surrounded by Alain Belhassen, president of CRIF South-East, and Martine Ouaknine, deputy mayor of Nice and member of the national committee of this organization. In the meantime, Deputy Rudy Salles had joined the podium.
