Haniyah to UN:

Don't Let Israeli War Criminals Escape Justice

Published yesterday (updated) 28/12/2009 11:14

Gaza – Ma'an –

De facto Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called on UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon not to let Israeli political and military leaders "escape punishment and being brought to courts" for the war crimes they committed against the Palestinian civilian population, during their war of aggression on Gaza last winter.

But he accused the UN of complicity in the International Quartet's refusal to negotiate with Hamas, and urged the world body to withdraw its membership from the group, which is also made up of the EU, US and Russia.

"It is inappropriate for the UN to place a siege on a nation that is under occupation," Haniyah said in speech in Gaza City, the same day the secretary-general urged Israel to lift its blockade in a message marking the one-year anniversary of the Gaza war.

The Hamas leader and deposed Palestinian prime minister also called on the US administration to "stand with and recognize Palestinian rights, without which no stability of calm will ever be achieved in the region."

He urged Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak to stop building its underground metal wall in Rafah. Addressing Mubarak directly, he said "Hamas does not interfere in Egyptian affairs, and Gaza is not a threat to the security of Egypt."

"The tunnels were built by Gazans as an exceptional necessity, pressed by the siege," he said. "We urge Egypt to open the Rafah crossing ... It is Egypt's right to act [against the blockade], and we believe it is their national and religious responsibility.

Haniyah also said Hamas was interested in reconciliation with its Fatah rivals, insisting "there is no other way for the Palestinians but conciliation and political partnership."

He concluded his remarks by thanking those who have stood by Gaza.

Earlier on Sunday, Haniyah declared victory over Israel in the winter assault that killed some 1,400 Palestinians.

He told Jordan's Al-Ghad newspaper that the victory stemmed from Israel's failure to achieve its stated objectives for the war, which ranged from halting the flow of projectiles from Gaza into southern Israel, to routing the Hamas movement entirely.

Haniyah claimed it was the Palestinian resistance in Gaza that drove out the Israeli forces in an unconditional retreat.

Although Gazans endured 22 days of constant Israeli bombardment "from the air, the sea and the land," he said they "defied the conspirators with their fortitude."

"Any new war with Gaza will not be a picnic as your collaborators have informed you," Haniyah added.

Haniya urges Ki-moon to do justice to citizens and war victims in besieged Gaza

 [ 28/12/2009 - 10:31 AM ]

GAZA, (PIC)--

Palestinian premier Ismail Haniya on Sunday urged UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to do justice to the Palestinian people and war victims in the besieged Gaza Strip and revive Goldstone’s report on Israeli war crimes, stressing that the words of condemnation are not enough.

“You have considerable responsibilities for lifting the siege on Gaza and bringing hope to the oppressed people in Gaza because the Palestinians’ trust and confidence in the UN and its international organizations fade away year after year for its failure to bring justice to our people,” Haniya said addressing Ki-moon in a speech on the first anniversary of the Israeli war on Gaza.

“In your hand is Goldstone’s report which was approved by the international council for human rights and the UN general-assembly and includes a sufficient explanation for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Zionist occupation, so where is Goldstone’s report?” the premier added.

He also raised the issue of organ theft of Palestinian victims, saying that Ki-moon has another report proving Israel’s involvement in harvesting organs from dead bodies and this crime entails protecting the Palestinian people against Israeli violations of human rights.

The premier called on Ki-moon to withdraw from the international quartet founded by former US president George Bush to besiege the people of Gaza, saying it is not appropriate for the UN to be part of a body or system blockading the occupied Palestinian people, while its job is to bring justice for the oppressed nations and protect international peace.

Haniya then appealed to Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak to open the Rafah border crossing and stop building the steel wall on Gaza borders.

The premier called on the US administration to reconsider its biased positions in favor of Israel and work hard on making a change as promised by president Barack Obama, warning that there is a Zionist lobby dragging Obama backwards and impeding his attempts to bring about changes in the Middle East.