Security Council adopts resolution condemning killing of civilians

By The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS - With the United States abstaining, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution early Thursday calling on Israel to stop the demolition of Palestinian homes and condemning the killing of Palestinian civilians near the Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip.

The decision by the U.S. to allow the adoption of a critical resolution reflected the Bush administration's displeasure at Israel's foray into Gaza.

The final vote was 14-0, with U.S. deputy ambassador James Cunningham abstaining.

The last time the U.S. abstained in a Security Council vote against Israeli actions was in September 24, 2002, when a resolution calling on Israel to withdraw its forces from Palestinian cities passed 14-0. The United States refrained from vetoing the resolution after language demanding that the Palestinians bring terrorists to justice was inserted.

The resolution expresses grave concern at "the recent demolition of homes committed by Israel, the occupying power, in the Rafah refugee camp." It "calls on Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian law and insists, in particular, on its obligation not to undertake demolition of homes contrary to that law."

Israel's UN Ambassador Dan Gillerman said he was disappointed at the council, which took no action when Israelis were killed. He contended seven Palestinians were killed on Wednesday, of which four to five were armed demonstrators.

Gillerman said high-quality weapons were being smuggled into Gaza, some of them through tunnels on the Egyptian border.

"In fact, the whole of Gaza, and Rafah in particular, is on the verge of becoming a missile base aimed at Israel's cities and civilians," he said. "What would the international community have Israel do? Just sit back and wait for this horrific scenario to materialize?"

Palestinian UN observer Nasser al-Kidwa told the council Israel killed innocent children, a telling illusion of the "vicious and barbaric behavior and actions of this occupying power," by firing at least one missile into the crowd.

"This is, of course an attempt to isolate the Gaza Strip from the outside world, ensuring that it has no border with Egypt, and thus ensuring the creation of a large prison for the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza," Kidwa said.

United Nations S/RES/1544 (2004) Security Council Distr.: General

2. Expresses grave concern regarding the humanitarian situation of Palestinians made homeless in the Rafah area and calls for the provision of emergency assistance to them;

Rafah missile strike prompts widespread condemnation

By Haaretz Service and News Agencies

The White House early Thursday rebuked Israel over its military actions in the Gaza Strip, saying they do not "serve the purposes of peace and security."

"While we believe that Israel has the right to act to defend itself and its citizens, we do not see that its operations in Gaza in the last few days serve the purposes of peace and security," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said in a written statement.

"They have worsened the humanitarian situation and resulted in confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinians, and have not, we believe, enhanced Israel's security," he added.

U.S. President George Bush on Wednesday urged "restraint" by Israel and Palestinians. "I continue to urge restraint," Bush told reporters following a Cabinet meeting in the Roosevelt Room. "It is essential that people respect innocent life in order for us to achieve peace."

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said late on Wednesday that Israel`s actions in Gaza would make it more difficult for the U.S. to move the peace process forward.

Powell spoke by telephone to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's bureau chief Dov Weisglass and to Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. Powell said he planned to also talk to Palestinian leaders.

"Israel has explained it was not a planned act," Powell told reporters at the State Department. "Nevertheless, it does not assist us in trying to move forward."

The United Nations' special human rights envoy for the West Bank and Gaza Strip said Wednesday that the Rafah strikes were war crimes and a violation of humanitarian law, and that the Security Council should consider imposing an arms embargo against Israel just as it had against the apartheid regime in South Africa in 1977.

"These actions constitute...war crimes...They also amount to collective punishment which violates both humanitarian law and international human rights law," said South African law professor John Dugard in a statement.

"The special rapporteur calls on the Security Council to take appropriate action to stop the violence, if necessary by the imposition of a mandatory arms embargo," he added.

The European Union slammed Wednesday's attack as "completely disproportionate" and as showing "a reckless disregard for human life".

In one of his strongest condemnations yet of recent Israeli actions against Palestinians, Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen, speaking on behalf of the EU presidency, cited initial reports suggesting many children were among the casualties.

"It is clear that today's action was completely disproportionate to any threat faced by the Israeli military and that Israeli forces showed a reckless disregard for human life," he said in a statement.

"The targeting of innocent children in a conflict of this kind must always be condemned," he said. "The killing of children does not serve any legitimate cause and degrades any purpose which it purports to advance."

Opposition MKs on Wednesday demanded that the IDF immediately suspend its operation in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip following the deadly attack.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia condemned Israeli action in the Gaza Strip and called for a cease-fire, but said the Israeli government showed no desire for peace.

Qureia said, after meeting Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero in Madrid, that "peace needs an immediate cease-fire, needs compliance with United Nations resolutions and needs good intentions from both sides".

"These crimes committed daily against our people... show there exists no desire for peace on the part of this Israeli government," Qureia said.

Palestinian Chairman Yasser Arafat called the attack as a 'genocide'. "This is a war crime. This is genocide. A crime that has
been committed against civilians who were out demonstrating peacefully... What is required is an immediate cessation of the assault, the punishing of those responsible and the sending of international forces," he said Wednesday.

The Knesset was in session when news of the missile strike broke.

Shinui chairman Yosef Lapid described the incident as a human tragedy and political tragedy, caused by the IDF's presence in the Gaza Strip. "Written all over this tragedy is the fact that this situation cannot go on," Lapid said.

MK Mohammed Barakeh (Hadash) termed the Rafah missile strike a "massacre" and called for international intervention.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon should face an international tribunal, MK Azmi Bishara (Balad) said, adding that they should be forced to explain their actions.

MK Ahmed Tibi (Hadash) said that the defense minister, chief of staff and the pilot who fired the missiles should all be put on trial. Tibi got so upset at the news of the events in Rafah, he had to be examined by the Knesset resident doctor.

MK Yuli Tamir (Labor) said that the operation in Rafah should be halted immediately, before it turns into another Lebanon.

Meretz MK Ran Cohen called on the IDF to stop the killing and get out of Rafah.

Fellow Meretz MK, Roman Bronfman said that the army does not discern between protesters and terrorists.

Another Meretz MK, Avshalom Vilan, said the order to fire on the protesters was illegal, while fellow party member Zahava Gal-On said the soldiers should have refused to carry out the order.

MK Yuval Steinitz (Likud) said the events were "tragic" but one must remember that the Palestinians frequently send civilians into dangerous areas on purpose.

The Palestinian Authority called on the United Nations Security Council to take sanctions against Israel, and to decide on measures against Israel in Wednesday evening's session to discuss three resolutions calling on Israel to halt the operation.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair called the Rafah operation "unacceptable and wrong" while Moscow slammed what it called a "disproportionate use of force."

Left-wing activists protest against Rafah incident

Hundreds of left-wing activists on Wednesday staged demonstrations in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa in protest over the Rafah attack in which eight Palestinian protestors were killed by the Israel Defense Forces.

The Tel Aviv rally was held across the street from the Ministry of Defense. The protest was organized by the Courage to Refuse group along with other left-wing organizations.

The protestors marched from the defense ministry to Masarik Square, waving black flags and signs that read "Philadelphi route - a death trap," and shouting: "This is an army that has lost its moral legitimacy." Ten protestors were arrested in clashes with police forces after they blocked a street. Among those arrested was reserve Captain David Zonenshein - one of the initiators of the officers' letter of refusal to serve in the territories.

Dozens of protesters demonstrated near the prime minister's official residence in Jerusalem. In Haifa a few dozen Jewish and Arab protesters held a rally against the Gaza attack, playing out a mock house demolition.

Powell Blasts Gaza Foray

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The White House on Wednesday strongly criticized Israel's recent military offensive in Gaza after an attack that killed at least 10 Palestinian demonstrators, saying Israel's actions had worsened the humanitarian situation and not improved its security.

In a statement, the Bush administration said it deeply regretted "the loss of life of innocent Palestinian civilians today in Gaza," and said the deaths "serve as a grim reminder of the wisdom" of Israel pulling out of Gaza.

Secretary of State Colin Powell  also criticized Israel, saying, "The activities of the Israeli defense forces in Gaza in recent days have caused a problem and have worsened the situation."

Initially, President Bush had withheld judgment on the attack, telling reporters earlier Wednesday that he had not had a chance to be briefed on the situation. He did urge restraint by both sides and respect for innocent lives.

Powell, at a later news conference, said Israel's actions in Gaza have made it more difficult for the United States to move the peace process forward.

Late Wednesday, the White House issued a statement that said Israel's operations in Gaza do not serve the purposes of peace and security.

"They have worsened the humanitarian situation and resulted in confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinians and have not, we believe, enhanced Israel's security," according to the statement, issued by the White House press office without any signature.

Israel should withdraw from Gaza, the White House statement said.

Powell spoke by telephone to Dov Weisglass, who is Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's chief of staff, and to Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. Powell said he planned to also talk to Palestinian leaders.

"Israel has explained it was not a planned act," Powell told reporters at the State Department. "Nevertheless, it does not assist us in trying to move forward."

His criticism was reflected at the United Nations, where the United States did not veto an Arab resolution condemning Israel's action.

Earlier Wednesday, Israeli Ambassador Daniel Ayalon met with National Security Council officials in Washington while U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer met in Tel Aviv with Israeli authorities.

The incident threatened to escalate an already tense standoff between Israel and the Palestinians concerning Israel's foray into Gaza. Israel has been accused by the State Department of targeting the homes of Palestinian civilians -- an accusation Israel has denied, saying it was after underground tunnels through which arms were channeled to terror groups.

EU, UN chief denounce home demolitions in Rafah

By Haaretz Service and Agencies

Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged Israel on Monday to stop bulldozing homes in Rafah along the Gaza-Egypt border, saying the demolitions violate international law and inhibit UN refugee workers from doing their jobs.

"I appeal to the Israeli government to stop this destruction, which is against international humanitarian law," Annan told reporters at UN headquarters.

"I am really distressed that the destruction of houses continues," he said.

"It is causing a very difficult and painful situation for the people of Palestine," Annan said, adding that the bulldozing was making it very difficult for UNRWA, the UN Relief and Works Agency that aids Palestinian refugees, to carry out its activities.

The appeal was the second from Annan since Friday, when he condemned Israel's widespread destruction of homes near the Gaza-Egypt border corridor.

EU condemns Gaza house demolitions
European Union foreign ministers on Monday condemned Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes in Gaza and demanded an immediate halt to the action.

"The Council condemned the large scale demolition of Palestinian houses in the Rafah district of Gaza as disproportionate and in conflict with international law," they said in a statement issued at their monthly meeting.

"The Council called on the Israeli government to cease such demolitions immediately."

The EU sought to balance its statement by condemning calls for violence and deploring the inhuman treatment of the remains of Israeli soldiers by Palestinians in Gaza.

The ministers said the demolitions were in conflict with Israel's obligations under the road map peace plan.

French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier urged Israel to pull out of Gaza, as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has said he wants to, but to do so in a civilized way.

"Withdrawal from Gaza is an important element which is part of the road map," Barnier told a news conference. "But withdrawing from Gaza after destroying Gaza doesn't seem to me to be the right path."

The condemnation came after the Israel Defense Forces launched a major operation to isolate Rafah and its refugee camp as part of measures to crack down on weapons smuggling, and a day after the High Court rejected an appeal by Rafah residents to ban further demolitions.

The EU is a member, with the United States, Russia and the United Nations, of the Quartet of Middle East peace brokers, which drafted the road map unveiled last year by President George W. Bush.

Israel often accuses the EU of being biased towards the Palestinians in the Middle East conflict.

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom warned his EU counterparts at a meeting in Dublin this month that if the bloc, in its view, took the Palestinian side it would lose its role as a mediator.

Amnesty Int'l: Israel razed 3,000 homes since intifada began

 By Reuters

Amnesty International said Tuesday that Israel has destroyed more than 3,000 Palestinian houses since the second intifada began three-and-a-half years ago, and demanded the army stop razing civilian homes.

Amnesty called on Israel's military to halt demolitions of Palestinian buildings "without absolute military necessity" in a report issued amidst Israeli threats to raze hundreds of houses in the southern Gaza Strip in an assault on militant strongholds.

The rights group, which frequently issues reports critical of Israel, said in its 65-page document that most of the house demolitions were "punitive" measures against innocent civilians.

"House demolitions are usually carried out without warning, often at night, and the occupants are forcibly evicted with no time to salvage their belongings," Amnesty said in its report.

Amnesty's report was issued as Israeli armor massed around southern Gaza's Rafah refugee camp, which has borne the brunt of the demolitions, after the army threatened to raze hundreds of buildings in a militant hotbed near the Egyptian border.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) set up rows of tents to take in civilians fleeing their houses in Rafah ahead of the expected raid.

Amnesty said Israeli forces had destroyed over 2,000 houses in Rafah and damaged some 16,000 since the uprising began. UNRWA said 12,600 Rafah residents had been made homeless.

The Amnesty report also said Israel had dynamited around 500 homes of Palestinians known or suspected of involvement in suicide bombings in a practice the report called "collective punishment" that it said violated international law.

Amnesty also criticized Israel for destroying Palestinian homes constructed without building permits. It accused Israel of systematically denying Palestinians and Israeli-Arabs permission to build in order to grab their land.

UN: Demolition of Gaza homes is violation of international law

By Shlomo Shamir, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service (MAY 22, 2004)

Israel's demolition of Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip is a violation of international law, United Nations Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Kiran Prendergast told members of the Security Council on Friday.

Prendergast made the comment while briefing Security Council members on a periodical UN report which among other topics includes the situation in the territories.

Meanwhile, the Israeli human rights group B'Tselem said Friday evening that in the previous 48 hours Israel Defense Forces troops had demolished 62 homes in the Brazil and a-Salam neighborhoods in Rafah.

A total of 40 Palestinians have been killed since the start of operations in the Gaza border town this week.

Prendergast said that since the intifada erupted in September 2000, about 18,000 people in the Gaza Strip had lost their homes. According to the report, UN agencies estimate that $32 million will be needed to rebuild the destroyed homes.

"To date UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees) has managed to re-house only 1,000 homeless people," the senior UN officials said.

In discussing events in the territories over the last month, Prendergast said that 128 Palestinians and 19 Israelis had been killed during this time.

The deputy head of Israel's mission to the UN, Ambassador Aryeh Mekel, slammed the report as blatantly one-sided.

Arabs ask for Security Council meeting on Rafah demolitions

By Haaretz Service and The Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS - Arab nations requested an immediate Security Council meeting Monday to consider Israel's widespread destruction of Palestinian homes in the Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip.

The request comes after international condemnation of last week's demolition of about 100 houses in the camp, leaving about 11,000 Palestinians in Rafah homeless since 2000. The army has said hundreds more houses may be torn down, as Israel wants to widen a military patrol road between Rafah and the Egyptian border after Palestinians blew up an armored vehicle there last week.

Yemen's United Nations Ambassador Abdullah Alsaidi, the current chairman of the Arab Group, sent a letter Monday to Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram, the current council president, calling on members to take "necessary measures" against Israel for violating international law.

The council scheduled consultations Tuesday afternoon to consider the request.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged Israel on Monday to stop bulldozing homes in Rafah, saying the demolitions violate international law and inhibit UN refugee workers from doing their jobs.

European Union foreign ministers on Monday also condemned the demolition of Palestinian homes in Gaza, demanding an immediate halt to the action, which they said in a statement was "disproportionate and in conflict with international law." The EU sought to balance its statement by condemning calls for violence and deploring the inhuman treatment of the remains of Israeli soldiers by Palestinians in Gaza.

U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said Monday, after a meeting in Berlin with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, that the United States had told Israel "that some of their actions don't create the best atmosphere." A senior Palestinian official told Reuters that Qureia appealed to Rice to stop Israel's mass demolition.

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has also joined international criticism of the plan, saying on a weekend visit to Jordan that Washington opposed "wholesale bulldozing of houses" in Rafah.

"We don't think that is productive," Powell said at the World Economic Forum in Jordan. "We know Israel has a right for self-defense, but the kind of actions that they're taking in Rafah with the destruction of Palestinian homes, we oppose."

Amnesty International released a report Tuesday saying Israel has destroyed more than 3,000 Palestinian houses since the second intifada began three-and-a-half years ago, and demanded the army stop razing civilian homes.

The body of a Palestinian youth is carried into hospital after Israeli troops fired a missile on protesters in Rafah. AFP/Said Khatib	A Palestinian man carries a badly wounded child as others rush to help moments after an Israeli missile strike on a demonstration in the Rafah refugee camp. AP Photo/Khalil Hamra
A Palestinian man carries a wounded boy after Israeli forces fired on a protest march in the Rafah refugee camp. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem	A Palestinian carries a dead boy after an Israeli attack on a crowd at the Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip Mohammed Salem/Reuters

The body of a Palestinian youth is carried into hospital after Israeli troops fired a missile on protesters in Rafah. AFP/Said Khatib

A Palestinian man carries a badly wounded child as others rush to help moments after an Israeli missile strike on a demonstration in the Rafah refugee camp. AP Photo/Khalil Hamra

A Palestinian man carries a wounded boy after Israeli forces fired on a protest march in the Rafah refugee camp. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem 

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