UN debates urging Israel to halt Gaza bombings
International Herald Tribune, Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS: The U.N. Security Council held emergency consultations Saturday night and early Sunday on the Israeli bombings in Hamas-ruled Gaza and debated whether to adopt a statement urging Israel to halt its military operations “without delay.”
The Russian-drafted press statement would also call for an immediate cessation of rocket attacks on Israeli territory from Gaza.
The stage is being set for Hamas to agree to stop rockets so that Israel no longer has the pretext necessary to destroy them. When Israel says she wants to restore calm, she is playing into their hands. Israel must act independently of UN machinations and do what has to be done to emasculate Hamas. We must stand up to the UN. Ted Belman
Libya, on behalf of the Arab Group of nations at the U.N., called the late night council meeting after Israeli warplanes rained more than 100 tons of bombs on security sites in Gaza on Saturday and early Sunday, killing at least 230 people. Israel said the bombardment — one of the Mideast’s bloodiest assaults in decades — was aimed at stopping rocket attacks from Gaza that have traumatized southern Israel.
“There is no justification for this whatsoever,” Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. observer, told reporters before the council began its closed-door consultations. “This collective punishment is inhumane, immoral and should be stopped immediately. There is no justification for punishing 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza because of the actions of a few.”
“The Security Council should demand that this be stopped immediately,” Mansour said.
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Libyan diplomats were pressing for an open council meeting and adoption of a presidential statement, which must be agreed by all 15 council members and becomes part of the official council record.
But there appeared to be reluctance among some members to hold an open meeting because of concerns of inflaming the situation.
Instead, Russia circulated a proposed press statement, which is less important than a presidential statement because it does not become part of the council’s official record, but still reflects the views of the U.N.’s most powerful body.
The Russian draft expresses “serious concern at the escalation of the situation in Gaza,” stresses “the need for the restoration of calm,” and calls for “an immediate opening of the border crossings into Gaza and for an unrestricted humanitarian access in the area, including supplies of food, fuel and provision of medical treatment.”
The Arabs proposed a number of amendments to the Russian text, including urging Israel to halt its military operations “immediately,” stressing the numerous Palestinian deaths, especially among civilians as well as the destruction of property.
Earlier Saturday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep alarm at the violence and bloodshed in Gaza and condemned Israel’s “excessive use of force” leading to the death and injury of civilians. He also expressed deep alarm at the continuing rocket attacks by Palestinian militants in southern Israel and expressed deep distress “that repeated calls on Hamas for these attacks to end have gone unheeded,” U.N. deputy spokeswoman Marie Okabe said.
“He appeals for an immediate halt to all violence,” she said.
During the day, the U.N. said Ban made calls about the escalating violence to U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Israel’s prime minister and foreign minister, the presidents of Egypt and Turkey, the foreign ministers of Russia and Britain, the head of the Arab League and the European Union’s foreign policy chief.
Hypocrisy in Action:
Where were Egypt, Russia, OIC, EU, Britain, Sarkozy, US & Austria when Hamas was pounding Israel with daily barrage of rockets?
http://muslimsagainstsharia.blogspot.com/2008/12/hypocrisy-in-action.html
“Innocent Civilian” Hamas Terrorists Killed by Israeli Airstrikes
http://muslimsagainstsharia.blogspot.com/2008/12/innocent-civilian-hamas-terrorists.html
Comment by Muslims Against Sharia — December 28, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
The UN should have spoken up when Hamas was firing rockets and mortar shells into Israel. At this point, the gibbering baboons who make up the General Assembly and most of the Security Council have nothing to say to which any civilized person has any obligation to listen.
Comment by Bill Levinson — December 28, 2008 @ 1:07 pm
Where was all this UN righteous indignation about Hamas’ 6000+ bombs launched into Israel since 2005? Where was all this UN concern when Mumbai was being ravaged by sadistic and systematic Islamic terrorism? Where were the urgent calls for restraint when for the past 15 years the Taliban has been targeting aid workers, peacekeepers, the Afghan population, etc? Why has the UN never met in an urgent appeal to condemn and take action against the many places in the world where terrorism (always Islamic) has ruined lives and murdered thousands? Where has there been a smidgen of doubt at the UN about creating a Palestinian state that promises to be another failed Islamic terror state (something the world definitely does not need)?
HYPOCRICY on steroids with a healthy dose of hatred and anti-Israelism is how I would characterize the world response to the long overdue answer to the question - what will Israel do to defend its citizens and prevent terrorism and war from terrorists in Gaza?
Comment by Gary — December 28, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
Gary:
Numbers count, 350 mil Arabs in this world- 1.5 bil Muslims in this world- do you really think that is not a major factor for the world to act as they do? What you or I think hardly matters in this equation. Should you disagree with my analysis, may I book you a flight to Mars. When are you available?
Comment by h peskin — December 28, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
When they pull you down to your knees by your ear when they make you pay the jizya, you’ll wish it was you on that flight to Mars.
The rest of us aren’t interested in submitting. You go alone, dhimmi.
Comment by Shy Guy — December 28, 2008 @ 3:09 pm
Of course its a factor in how the world reacts to Israel. So what, Israel must ignore the wailing of the international community.
Comment by Laura — December 28, 2008 @ 3:13 pm
If Israel and the United States were to resign from the UN (which they should), that institution would collapse like a deck of cards. Nothing left but terrorists and appeasers who have done nothing to create peace, the kind we wish for. There would not be enough funds to maintain this miserable intitution; therefore, the UN could not support the building in NYC and would rapidly implode and cease.
After that, perhaps the countries who truly wish for peace could organize and establish their own organization including a fair security council.
Comment by Ed D — December 28, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
peskin: Yes - and the numbers would be a lot less lopsided if the left (which has filled the void vacated by the far right where unreasonable anti-Israel behavior is concerned) would speak out strongly against rather than for Islamic terrorism.
I am not sure exactly what you are saying but my guess is that your - “if you can’t beat ‘em then join ‘em” -plea is the kind of defeatist and cowardly attitude that makes Hamas, Hezbollah, and the UN jump for joy. The harder the terrorists try to destroy freedom and bring about an Islamic caliphate, the more some people cower and genuflect to the will of the Islamists.
Comment by Gary — December 28, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
The United Nations should stick with what it is good at, like child rape and child pornography. See “sex for food” AND “United Nations.”
Comment by Bill Levinson — December 28, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
Gary:
I am sorry to report that Israel has from the day one elected to remain fully engaged in the world community. Israel is not withdrawing from the U.N. nor any of its agencies. Israel is not isolationist in the least.Has strong trade relations with the E.U. and despite not having diplomatic ties with many Arab and Moslem countries such as the Gulf states, still has trade connections with these very same nations.
I know that you and others might not approve but nevertheless Israel continues to do what it does, and for its own good will continue to do so.
Comment by h peskin — December 28, 2008 @ 9:59 pm
Don’t worry, the UN has Obama Christ to lead the war on terror now!
Comment by Michael Sunstar — December 29, 2008 @ 12:35 am
Wrong peskin: I approve very strongly of positive relations and cooperation built on trade, business, mutual trust and respect - including recognition of each others existence, right to security, freedom and dignity in the world.
What I do not agree with is the appeasement that some people engage in, perhaps you, to politically put Israel in danger by preventing it from defending itself against the war and terrorism directed against at it by neighboring terrorists and their state supporters. Their right to not be attacked ends when Israel is attacked by them.
The relationships which we both approve of between Israel and the world would be much stronger and enduring if the Israel hate in the Arab/Muslim world were tackled directly and honestly rather than looking for ways to make Israel weak and the enemy happy by not addressing the root causes and dangers to the citizens of Israel.
If you believe in Israel than you must believe in defending the rights of Israelis to a secure home without the constant threat of bombs and terrorism from fanatics who have made Israel their target for 60 or more years because it is written in their holy books that they must do so.
Comment by Gary — December 29, 2008 @ 3:47 am