Channels

Photo: AP
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni
Photo: AP
UN vote
Photo: Reuters

Foreign Ministry: UN hindering fight against terror

In response to UN decision to investigate circumstances surrounding Beit Hanoun incident several days ago, Israel's foreign ministry states move rewarding to terrorism, hindering to those fighting it

The UN's decision to investigate the incident in Beit Hanoun over a week ago, in which 19 Palestinians were killed, was not well-received in Israel. Saturday, the Foreign Ministry called the decision one-sided and rewarding to terrorists.

 

"Israel left the Gaza Strip and the Palestinians continued to fire Qassams at Israel and hurt innocent civilians," read a ministry statement. "Nonetheless, UN member nations prefer to oppose those who fight against terror instead of opposing the terrorists themselves."

 

Friday, The United Nations General Assembly decided to establish a committee "to look into the facts" surrounding the civilian deaths in Beit Hanoun.

 

The assembly voted 156-7 with six abstentions to approve the measure put forward by Arab states.

 

All the European countries supported the Arab resolution, after its wording was softened and also included a condemnation of the Qassam rockets fired at Israel. The UN members decided to "express regret" over the Beit Hanoun incident, rather than condemn Israel.

 

Voting "no" were the US, Israel, Australia, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and Palau. Abstaining were Canada, Ivory Coast, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

 

It was further decided to call on Israel to leave Gaza immediately. Instead of a demand to send UN staff to protect the Palestinian residents, the wording was changed to "look into the possibility" of establishing a mechanism under the Quartet's supervision.

 

Various media sources reported that former US president Jimmy Carter may be the one to lead the investigative team regarding the shelling in Beit Hanoun.

 

Gillerman: Decision makes cynical use of UN 

Prior to the vote, Israel's Ambassador to the UN Dan Gillerman slammed the proposal, saying that the General Assembly has been hijacked by the evil forces. He added that the session was a cynical use and abuse of the UN.

 

"This bloodshed can stop in one second. If terror stops, there will not be one single victim, Israeli or Palestinian. End the violence, and Israel never again needs not engage in self-defense," the ambassador said.

 

Gillerman warned: "I caution everyone who will support this resolution. By doing so, you will be an accomplice to terror. The blood of more innocents will be on your hands.

 

Reuters and Associated Press also contributed to this article

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.18.06, 18:05
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment