UN told to denounce Israel
Kuwait urges boots on the ground response
UNITED NATIONS: Kuwait is urging the Security Council to condemn Israel’s use of force against Palestinian civilians “in the strongest terms’’, especially in the Gaza Strip, and to deploy and international force to protect civilians.
A draft resolution circulated by Kuwait, which is the Arab representative on the council, also demands that Israel “immediately cease its military reprisals, collective punishment and unlawful use of force against civilians in the Gaza Strip’’.
Israel’s Ambassador Danny Danon responded to the draft resolution, saying, “the cynicism and attempts to distort reality have reached a new low. Israel will continue to defend its sovereignty and the security of its citizens against the terror and murderous violence of Hamas’’.
“This shameful draft resolution is a proposal to support Hamas’ war crimes against Israel and the residents of Gaza who are being sent to die for the sake of preserving Hamas’ rule,’’ he said in a statement.
The United States has defended Israel’s actions in Gaza and will very likely veto the resolution if it’s put to a vote.
Kuwait’s effort comes after the Security Council couldn’t agree even on a statement about a confrontation in Gaza on Monday that left nearly 60 Palestinians dead. Palestinian officials call it a massacre of protesters demonstrating against a decade-long blockade; Israel says it was defending its border against a militantfueled mob.
Kuwait tried on Monday to get the council to issue a statement expressing outrage at the killings and seeking an independent investigation, among other things. The US blocked the statement, saying it was one-sided and faulted it for not mentioning incitement of violence by Hamas, the Islamic militant group that rules Gaza and led the demonstration.
The Kuwaiti draft resolution calls for measures to be taken to guarantee the safety and protection of the Palestinian civilian population, including the deployment of “an international protection mission’’.
It would reaffirm the council’s willingness to respond to armed conflict where civilians are being targeted or aid to civilians being deliberately obstructed. This could include considering “appropriate measures’’ — UN language for sanctions.
The draft calls for “the full lifting of the blockade and the restrictions imposed by Israel on the movement and access into and out of the Gaza Strip.’’ This includes “the immediate, sustained and unconditional opening of the crossing points’,’ to allow humanitarian aid, commercial goods and people to enter and leave in accordance with international law, it says.
The draft expresses “grave concern at the escalation of violence and tensions and the deterioration of the situation’’ in Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, since March 30 — and at the loss of civilian lives and high casualties.
It urges immediate and unimpeded aid to civilians in Gaza, “immediate and significant steps’’ to stabilise the situation on the ground.
The draft calls for intensified efforts by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the UN Mideast envoy Nikolay Mladenov to help deter violence, protect civilians, and create “an environment conducive to dialogue’’.
Senior Palestinian official Hanan Ashrawi said Palestinians were looking at past UN operations in various countries to see what form a protection effort might take.
The key is “the ability to affect behaviour on the ground and to provide genuine protection,’’ she said at a news conference on Wednesday at UN headquarters.
Monday marked the deadliest day of cross-border violence in Gaza since a 2014 war between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, protests have been held in several cities globally against Israeli action in the region.