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Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
PM Ehud Olmert
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
UN vote condemning Israel
Photo: Reuters

Olmert: UN should condemn Palestinian gunmen, not Israel

PM expresses faith in IDF, says UN decision to condemn Israel over errant killing of Palestinians in Gaza a ‘severe development’; vows to strengthen Sderot residents

After the United Nations vote in favor of an international investigation of the killings in Beit Hanoun, where 20 Palestinian citizens were killed, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert waged his own war.

 

"Those who fire in the aim of harming civilians for a long period of time need to be condemned," he said, accusing the world body of condemning Israel, while turning a blind eye to Palestinian offensives.

 

Olmert told cabinet ministers that he sees with severity the UN decision, which was adopted by the General Assembly after an American veto at the Security Council, and which has created a schism in Jerusalem's relations with Paris.

 

"The government expresses full faith in the security forces and the IDF," he said.

 

Only six nations voted in Israel's favor: The United States, Australia, Micronesia, Palau, Nauru and the Marshal Islands.

 

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the vote at the General Assembly is a tool to circumvent the US veto at the Security Council. "A week ago we prevented a resolution that they wanted to pass at the Security Council. It was clear that the price would be to release a column of smoke at the UN Assembly. It is obviously not nice and unfair," Livni said.

 

'Impossible to implement Jenin model'

But not only UN discussions haunted ministers on Sunday. Qassam attacks on Sderot early Sunday morning left a man moderately-to-seriously injured and two others lightly hurt.

 

"We will strengthen residents, we will do all to assist, especially in light of the UN decision last week," he said,

 

Ministers were updated on the situation in Gaza by Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin and IDF Chief of Staff Lit.-Gen. Dan Halutz. Minister Gideon Ezra said before the meeting that those calling for a large-scale operation in the Gaza Strip are committing a mistake.

 

"It is impossible to implement the model of Jenin in Gaza because of the population density. I back the initiative that both sides agree to a ceasefire," he said.

 

Minister Zeev Boim Israel cannot enter and leave Gaza when it wishes. "We were there a week ago. But, the government needs to do everything so that Sderot residents can live in peace. We need to stem the motorway through which weapons are coming from Philadelphi, so that Gaza doesn't become Lebanon. The solutions given to the problem so far, have not yielded the answer," he said.

 

Defense Minister Amir Peretz said during the cabinet meeting: "Government ministers' criticism creates a false impression that we are not doing all that is required to quell Qassam fire."

 

"I ordered large-scale operations in Gaza … There is no plan that was presented to me to reduce Qassam fire that was not approved," he said in response to ministers who argued that Israel is not doing enough against Palestinian gunmen.

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.19.06, 10:55
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