Security Council rejects Qatar's anti-Israel proposal

[Behind the Aegis]

NEW YORK - A draft resolution circulated among Security Council members by Qatar, on behalf of the United Nation's Arab group, was rejected out of hand as "absolutely unacceptable," because it was unbalanced and one-sided regarding the events in the Gaza Strip.

Arab states asked the Security Council to demand Israel's immediate withdrawal from Gaza, but France and the United States, veto-wielding permanent members, criticized their proposed resolution as unbalanced.

Qatar's draft resolution condemned Israel's detention of dozens of Palestinian officials. However, it fails to mention the rocket attacks on Israel and the capture of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

Experts from the 15-member Security Council met behind closed doors to discuss the draft, which calls on Israel, as the occupying power, to abide by its obligations under the Geneva Convention for the protection of civilians in a time of war.


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[papau]

1. "occupying power" should be "stronger power" as to Gaza - but it does

apply to West Bank, IMHO.