hamas, is holding an israeli soldier that they kidnapped for four years, four years this soldier, gilad shalitn allowed to see anyone. this is a complete violation of international norms. i think if anything bears condemnation, it is this -- this inhumane terrorist regime. and i would hope that international condemnation is directed there. that's where it belongs. and not against israel. a struggling democracy. striving to live and to make peace with its neighbors. it should not be condemned. it should be encouraged to -- >> larry: saying -- >> -- defend itself and also make peace. >> larry: -- image around the world is poor, you're not in high regard at the u.n. you seem to be from a public relations standpoint, pr standpoint, in trouble. >> well, that's one of the reasons i'm appearing on "the larry king show." there's a difference between perception and reality. the reality is the people of israel yearn for peace, pray for peace. we've not had a day's peace, a day of complete peace, since the founding of the state in 1948. we know the cost of wars. there's -- many israelis have suffered it.

women who would cry and say send gilad shalit back, the israeli soldier so they'll open the borders again>> charlie: why don't they do that? >> the long-term strategy is one thing. israel had a strategy of pressuring people through the blockade, put pressure on hamas. what we found was the blockade succeeded. it has created tremendous pressure on people and perhaps that is why they dislike hamas but it is not a democracy and there is nothing obliging hamas to respond to that. >> charlie: do i hear you saying that the tactic on the part of israel, if their known tactic was to have a blockade, things like cement couldn't get in, building materials could not get in was to put pressure on the government and hurt the people so they would be angry at hamas? >> i want to point out it's not just concrete that's not getting in, books in the center weren't allowed in, surfboards for the kids weren't allowed in, many, many items, israel never, as i understand it, put out a list of items that were actually permitted so a good deal of things that affected people's daily lives weren't getting in. >> i