UN slams Israel over Beit Hanun shelling, approves inquiry panel

The UN General Assembly on Friday night overwhelmingly passed a resolution condemning the errant shelling of a Beit Hanun house which killed some 20 Palestinians.

Representatives of 156 countries voted in favor of the resolution, seven objected and six abstained.

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

Europe's envoys cast their votes unanimously in favor of the resolution.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations Dan Gillerman walked out of the session in protest, saying his words were falling on deaf ears and that he was better off holding a nearby press conference.

The United States ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, warned member states against approving the proposal, saying it would undermine the organization's relevance." Such a decision will only strengthen the widespread doubts regarding the UN, and lead many to conclude that the global organization cannot fulfill a role in the region," said Bolton.

Bolton called the resolution "one-sided" and said its adoption would only "increase tension and serve the interests of those hostile to Israel and that do not accept Israel's right to exist.

Bolton also slammed the UN Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, which called Wednesday for an inquiry into the Beit Hanun shelling.

Haaretz

Bolton and Gillerman, perfect examples of immature behavior. Of course, John Pupet Bolton calls it ''one-sided'' again (as usual). Gillerman walks away angry. It's ridiculous, period.

Why should such an ''accident'' not be considered for an inquiry? This Bolton doesn't understand the situation at all, hopefully he will be replaced soon (many Republicans and Democrats did not even support his appointment). How could an inquiry on this accident possibly 'increase tensions'? It would have the opposite effect, if the US and Israel supported an inquiry it would be a first step of showing that they actually care about what happened over there.

Voting ''against Israel'' does undermine the organization's relevance? With other words, don't question Israel's policies or the organization isn't of relevance anymore. What kind of flawed logic is that?

Originally posted by Mdv2
What kind of flawed logic is that?

The same kind of flawed logic that got us embroiled in the middle east in the first place. You are WITH us or you are AGAINST us.

Not voting the way we want, expect a smear campaign against your government. Still not playing ball, we'll take down the whole UN and replace it with a coalition of the willing... Micronesia, Nauru, Palau...

Indeed, IMO the only way for the UN to prove its relevance is to stand up to the bullies.

I think it's a good point that was made by Mdv2, that if the US and Israel actually gave a damn, they would support an investigation. Instead, what do they do? They take their ball and go home, refusing to play any game that doesn't incorporate their special rules.

:shk:

I'm ashamed that my country is represented by such a tool. Bolton is a disgrace, and should really be working for the Israeli government instead. Assuming they'd even want him...

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert yesterday dismissed a UN General Assembly resolution that deplored a deadly Israeli artillery strike two weeks ago in Gaza, saying the forum should aim its criticism at Palestinian militants.

"I have no doubt that it is not the State of Israel that should be answering questions about the harming of civilians, especially after we voiced deep regret at the harm done," Olmert told his cabinet in broadcast remarks.

Since Israel's military offensive resumed in Gaza, following the abduction of soldier Gilad Shalit in June, around 350 Palestinians have been killed, about half of them civilians; four Israelis, three of them soldiers, have been killed.

Israel Radio quoted Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni as saying Friday's resolution in the General Assembly, which was largely symbolic, showed pro-Palestinian nations were "letting off steam" after the United States' veto.

The General Assembly resolution called for the immediate cessation of all acts of violence by both the Palestinian and Israeli sides, and asked Secretary General Kofi Annan to set up a fact-finding mission to look into the attack on Beit Hanun.

"I am not sure that Israel will cooperation with it [the probe]. ]We don't need the United Nations to check what happened," Dan Gillerman, Israel's UN ambassador, said in an Army Radio interview on Saturday.
[
Haaretz

Olmert should understand that you can’t settle a matter by constantly saying ''we're sorry''. It’s just no legitimate excuse that can be used any time you kill another dozen of Palestinians or other unwanted persons. People accept that once or twice but not a hundred times.

Israel cannot stand any form of criticism and has adopted Bush's policy of ''you are either with us or you're with the terrorists''. Criticizing Israel results in ''anti-Semitism, anti-Zionist, racist and pro-Palestine'' offences.

Last, but not least; the most important quote. Gilderman who says Israel 'does not need the UN to investigate'. A perfect way to hush up ''accidents'' like Qana V.1 and V.2.

If you would have asked Saddam if he tortured people would you expect him to answer yes?


[edit on 20-11-2006 by Mdv2]

Israeli puppet Gillerman asks many questions, but the flawed logic he uses is starting to annoy me. It has once again been proven what kind of people are in power in Israel. Appointing a minister who has similar radical thoughts as the Nazi-regime and claiming the UN to be hijacked because the organization dares to criticize Israel.

Gillerman: UN hijacked by evil forces
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

Abuse of the UN is the veto power of the US - all in favor of Israel and now other Veto powers will act similar to US resolutions against Iran. Great accomplishment .

[Gillerman]"I urge all of you to ask yourself, if your country was subject to this brutal and vicious terror, what would you do?"

Perhaps Israel should withdraw from Palestinian territories, stop suppressing Palestinians and comply with UN resolutions. THAN they are allowed to talk like this.

The Israeli ambassador then turned to the French representative and asked, "If France was shelled from across the border, what would the French do? Would the French government send flowers to their attackers?"

France does not occupy parts of Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany or Switzerland. Israel in contrast, does occupy Palestinian territority.

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.

This resolution was completely objective. Don't try to deny that, or I'll post the resolution to show you that it condemns both Palestinian and Israel hostilities and urgently stresses both parties to stop the violence.

Palestinian UN Observer Riyad Mansour said during the discussion that this was 31st time the US vetoed decisions related to the Palestinians.

The repeated use of a veto send an erroneous message to Israel and it continues to commit crimes, he charged. The Palestinian observer accused Israel of committing "war crimes" and carrying out the "Beit Hanoun massacre."

This man is one of the few who is right.

Ynet

Spoiled children usually get what they want and when they don't they resort to bad behavior.

Israel needs to grow up and start abiding by the rules that the rest of us have to follow. That country and its people need to start cooperating with the rest of us.