Consul General Orli Weitzman Talks About Israel’s Efforts for Peace Amidst Middle East Tensions
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], October 1: Orli Weitzman, the Consul General of Israel to South India, spoke about the rising tensions in the Middle East and Israel’s dedication to finding a peaceful solution. She emphasized that Israel aims to resolve conflicts through diplomacy but will defend itself if necessary.
Weitzman mentioned the recent attack on Israel by terrorists from Gaza on October 7, 2023, and the need to return displaced citizens to their homes in northern Israel. She pointed out that Hezbollah’s refusal to follow UN Resolution 1701 is a significant barrier to peace.
Despite these challenges, Weitzman reiterated Israel’s desire for coexistence and peace, stating, “Israel always tries to find a diplomatic solution. We have no problem with the Lebanese people. All we want is to have a country and live peacefully. But this isn’t the situation with our enemies. They don’t accept Israel’s right to exist.”
She added that if diplomacy fails, Israel will take necessary actions to ensure its safety, “We would hope for a diplomatic solution but if that doesn’t work then we will do whatever is necessary to make sure Israel is safe again.”
Weitzman highlighted that Israel’s recent actions demonstrate its commitment to security, “Israel’s actions speak for themselves in the past few days. Israel has to do what it has to do. We don’t want to live like this. Everybody wants to live peacefully and lead a quiet life.”
On October 7, 2023, Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, launched a surprise attack on Israel. In response, Israel conducted airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza, targeting Hamas infrastructure and leaders. Additionally, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) carried out targeted ground operations in southern Lebanon, focusing on Hezbollah strongholds to neutralize threats to Israeli communities in the northern region.
The IDF stated, “The IDF is continuing to operate to achieve the goals of the war and is doing everything necessary to defend the citizens of Israel and return the citizens of northern Israel to their homes.”
Doubts Revealed
Consul General -: A Consul General is a person who represents their country in a foreign city. They help their country’s citizens and work on building good relationships between the two countries.
Orli Weitzman -: Orli Weitzman is a person who works for the government of Israel. She is the Consul General of Israel to South India, meaning she helps with Israel’s interests in that part of India.
Israel -: Israel is a country in the Middle East. It is known for its history, culture, and ongoing conflicts with some of its neighboring countries.
Middle East -: The Middle East is a region that includes countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran. It is often in the news because of conflicts and political issues.
Hamas -: Hamas is a group that controls the Gaza Strip, a part of the Palestinian territories. They often have conflicts with Israel.
October 7, 2023 -: This date refers to a recent event when Hamas attacked Israel. It is important because it caused more tension in the region.
Hezbollah -: Hezbollah is another group that operates mainly in Lebanon. They also have conflicts with Israel and are involved in the region’s politics.
UN Resolution 1701 -: This is a rule made by the United Nations to help keep peace between Israel and Lebanon. It asks groups like Hezbollah to stop fighting and follow certain guidelines.
Diplomacy -: Diplomacy is when countries talk and negotiate to solve problems without fighting. It is like when you talk to your friend to solve a disagreement instead of arguing.
Displaced citizens -: Displaced citizens are people who have had to leave their homes because of danger or conflict. They need to find a safe place to live until they can return home.
