PALESTINIANS TURN TO UN TO SAVE CIVILIANS

United Nations: The Palestinians and their supporters asked the UN General Assembly on Friday to hold an emergency meeting to adopt a resolution that would deplore Israel's "excessive use of force," particularly in Gaza, and seek recommendations to ensure the protection of Palestinian civilians. The move follows the U. S. veto of a Kuwait- sponsored resolution in the Security Council on June 1 which U. S. Ambassador Nikki Haley called "grossly one- sided" for deploring the use of force by Israel while not mentioning Hamas which rules Gaza. Palestinian U. N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour told reporters Friday that the Kuwaiti resolution was “extremely balanced,” and he said almost the same text will be put to a vote in the General Assembly. There are no vetoes in the 193- member world body, but while Security Council resolutions are legally binding, General Assembly resolutions are not. Mansour and supporters including representatives of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation met with President Miroslav Lajcak Friday afternoon to officially request a meeting to vote on a resolution. The Palestinian ambassador said he believes Lajcak will set a date “very soon”. He said “most likely” it will be next Wednesday afternoon. “We are mobilizing all our efforts from groups and member states to receive the largest number of votes possible to support us,” Mansour said.