Gillerman fingers 'axis of terror'

Jerusalem Post | Breaking News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World

Gillerman fingers 'axis of terror'
JPost.com Staff, THE JERUSALEM POST Feb. 22, 2006

Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Gillerman, in a speech before the UN Security Council Tuesday night defined Iran, Syria, and Hamas as an axis of world terror.

In the meeting that was convened to discuss the threat of worldwide terrorism, Gillerman warned that the relations between the three entities could precipitate "the first world war of the 21st century." He urged the council to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and recognize Hamas as a terrorist, not a democratic body.

The ambassador also told Israel Radio that Russia and Turkey were "acting strangely" in inviting Hamas to official visits, considering the threat those two countries from Chechen and Kurdish terrorists, respectively.

He added that UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan's call to provide Hamas with more time [before imposing sanctions on them], was based on a false notion that it would take them three months to form their government.

Also on Tuesday, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert revealed that there have been more attempts recently by Hizbullah to kidnap IDF soldiers.

In December 2005, a group of over 20 Hizbullah gunmen infiltrated Israel through the border town of Ghajar, and launched an RPG assault on an IDF base.

Another group of gunmen fired upon security forces at the entry to Ghajar. During the incident, a sharpshooter from the Paratroopers' brigade killed four of the Hizbullah men.

Army Radio reported that the northern command increased the alert along the Lebanese border fence. The greater precautions included banning entry to army bases in the region to anyone but those having official business there.