UNSC condemns "resulting" settler violence in Hebron

Politics    12/6/2008 9:00:00 AM
 
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 6 (KUNA) --

The UN Security Council late Friday met behind closed doors to condemn the "resulting" settler violence against Palestinian civilians and property after their evacuation from Palestinian sites they seized by force in Hebron, and urged respect for the rule of law "without discrimination or exception." Egyptian and Palestinian envoys described the council action as a "modest step in the right direction." The council acted upon request from Egypt, as chairman of the Arab Group, and Cuba, as chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, to urgently address the dangerous situation in Hebron in order to prevent the further escalation of violence.

Both groups expressed "grave alarm" at the recent rise of settler violence in the Hebron area where Israeli armed extremist settlers have been setting fire to Palestinian homes and orchards, shooting at Palestinians and desecrating their mosques and graves.

Summarizing the council's deliberations in four "oral points," not even in a press statement, council President Neven Jurica of Croatia told reporters the members "welcomed Israel's evacuation of settlers from the compound in Hebron on December 4." They "condemned the resulting settler violence, including against Palestinian civilians and property." They urged respect for the rule of law without discrimination or exception and welcomed the efforts of the Israeli and Palestinian security services to restore calm.

They encouraged Israel and the Palestinian Authority to continue their security cooperation in the Hebron Governorate.
The council's action, according to importance, is first a resolution, if not a presidential statement and if not a statement to the press, which is the weakest form of action. The council's four "oral points" on Hebron carry no weight at all.

Egyptian envoy Majed Abdul Aziz welcomed the results of the council's consultations.

"This is a good sign after we insisted on having a council reaction today. We will follow up this matter with the council in the future if the situation so warrants," he told reporters.

Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour also told reporters that the council's condemnation of the settlers' violence is a "modest step in the right direction." But, he added, the "radical solution to the issue is the removal of the armed settlers from the old city of Hebron and for the council to provide protection to the civilian population." The fact that the council was able to show a "small demonstration of condemnation of settlement activities should encourage us to continue on the path for reaching other conclusions in the direction of protection," he said.

He expressed hope that the Quartet and the council will shoulder their responsibilities when they meet here later this month to discuss the peace process.

He added that the Palestinians will insist on "sweeping" the settlers from the old city of Hebron and from all the occupied land. (end) sj.ema KUNA 060900 Dec 08NNNN

UN Security Council condemns Hebron settler violence

Date: 06 / 12 / 2008  Time:  09:35
New York – Ma’an –

The United Nations (UN) Security Council held an emergency meeting on Friday evening to condemn illegal Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the southern West Bank city of Hebron on Thursday.

The meeting was called by the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Arab states, members of the UN body.

The Security Council speaker read a statement welcoming the evacuation of the illegal Israeli settlers from the Al-Rajabi family home:

“The Security Council members condemn violence against Palestinian civilians and appeal to both sides to restore security and rule of law without discrimination or exceptions.

"They also welcome efforts by Israel and the Palestinians in this regard,” the statement said.

Representative of Palestine to the UN Riyad Mansour expressed the Palestinian Authority’s satisfaction with the statement, describing it as a step in the right direction. He also highlighted that further discussions would be made in the Quartet’s meeting on peace in the Middle East, and at another meeting for the UN Security Council scheduled to be held on 18 December.

Representative of Egypt, Majid Abdul-Fattah, also applauded the statement, promising to follow up with the UN Security Council for further action, if needed.

On Friday, The United Nations representative to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Palestinian Authority (PA) "welcomed the evacuation" of an illegal settlement outpost in Hebron on Thursday, according to a statement sent to Ma'an.

Robert Serry, the UN's special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and personal representative of the secretary-general to the PLO and PA, said he is pleased by the evacuation by Israeli security forces of approximately 200 settlers from a Palestinian house in Hebron on Thursday.

"I condemn the ensuing violence and attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian civilians and the destruction and desecration of Palestinian property," the UN representative said on Friday.

"As the occupying power, the government of Israel is under obligation to protect Palestinian civilians, property and holy sites," Serry demanded.

He also expressed concern over future violence, calling for "an immediate end to settler attacks and restraint and calm from all parties," he insisted, urging vigilance from Israeli authorities "to ensure that the events of yesterday (Thursday) are not repeated."

"Actions of extremists continue to pose a threat to the peace process, and further underline the need for action to fulfill Roadmap commitments," he added, concluding that the UN would continue to "closely monitor" developments in the West Bank.


***Updated 11:50 Bethlehem time