Israel Matzav

Kofi Annan 'respects the decision of the Palestinian people'

Yesterday, the 'United Nations Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People' held a seminar in Cairo on 'Assistance to the Palestinian People.' Secretary General Kofi Annan did not attend, but he sent a message that was delivered by Ms. Angela Kane, Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs. Here's an excerpt:

Last January, the world witnessed the Palestinian Legislative Council elections, which marked an important milestone in the Palestinian people's continued pursuit of democracy and self-determination. I respect the decision of the Palestinian people. I also hope that the new Palestinian Authority Cabinet will address their aspirations for peace and statehood as articulated by President Abbas.

He continued by equating Israel's and the 'Palestinians' 'violence' and living up to their respective commitments:

For this reason, I call upon the Palestinian Authority to reaffirm Palestinian commitment to the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel's right to exist and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Road Map. These principles and United Nations resolutions underlie the efforts to achieve a two State solution. That is why they have been emphasized by the Security Council and the Quartet, and why regional partners are working to ensure that the new government aligns itself with the Arab Peace Initiative. [I assume that by the 'Arab Peace Initiative' he means the 'Saudi Initiative,' which is suicidal for Israel for reasons I discussed in a post a couple of weeks ago. CiJ]

Israelis have also elected new leadership. I urge the new Israeli Government to live up to its commitments, including those contained in the Road Map. I call upon Israel to cease settlement activity and other actions that could prejudice final status issues, and encourage it to recognize that a peaceful solution to the conflict cannot be imposed unilaterally or outside the framework of a comprehensive regional peace.

I remain extremely worried about the intensification of violence, including Palestinian rocket attacks and suicide bombings, as well as Israeli air strikes, shelling and ground operations. Civilians on both sides have been killed and injured from this violence, igniting feelings of anger and revenge. I reiterate my call on both sides to abide by their obligations under international law, and refrain from further actions that might escalate the situation and put civilians at risk.

And the coup de grace:

At this crucial time, I wish to add a final word about the work of the United Nations, which carries out a wide range of activities throughout the occupied Palestinian territory. In light of current developments, it is likely that the scale of those activities will increase. UN entities will continue to discharge their responsibilities, in keeping with their respective mandates. But all concerned must understand that the Palestinian Authority provides the bulk of the irreplaceable basic services necessary to avert a humanitarian crisis. Increased UN and NGO activity cannot fill the void that would be created were the institutions of the Palestinian Authority to be unable to do so. These institutions, moreover, are the blocks on which we hope to build a Palestinian State. Bearing in mind all these considerations, the United Nations will continue to work with our partners and the parties to try to find ways to ensure that the needs of the Palestinians are met.

You can read the entire statement here.

Anne Bayefsky at UN Watch comments:

The global UN campaign to demonize Israel continues with another UN "seminar," this time in Egypt. The Secretary-General refuses to mention the word "Hamas," and has this to say about the election: It "marked an important milestone in the Palestinian people's continued pursuit of democracy and self-determination. I respect the decision of the Palestinian people." Moral equivalence between aggressor and victim, instead of leadership and moral clarity, is the essence of the Secretary-General's message: "I remain extremely worried about the intensification of violence, including Palestinian rocket attacks and suicide bombings, as well as Israeli air strikes, shelling and ground operations. Civilians on both sides have been killed and injured from this violence, igniting feelings of anger and revenge."

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 8:46 PM