Concerned with the deteriorating situation in Gaza, Qatar put forward a draft at the United Nations Security Council, hoping it would spark a debate on the "indiscriminate shelling against the Gaza Strip, resulting in extensive human casualties." The draft also said should stop its "military operations and excessive use of force that endangers the Palestinian civilian populations," the Israeli daily Ha’aretz reported Friday.
Israel has lately been pouring 300 shells a day into the northern part of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz declared that "As long as it’s not quiet here [in ], it won’t be quiet there [in Gaza ]."[1]
But the draft was stopped by the U.S., saying it was too critical of the Israeli actions against the Gazans. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinians UN observer, said that there is only "one member [the ] who is shielding and protecting the Israeli actions and aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza and in other parts of the occupied territory."
The American ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, wasn’t offended by the claim. "If I were the only holdout I’d be proud of that fact," he said according to Ha’aretz. Bolton, well-known for his devoted support, accused the draft of being "disproportionately critical of Israel, and unfairly so and needlessly so."
[1] Gaza families watch in awe and fear as Israelis pour in 300 shells a day, Conal Urquhart, Guardian 12/04/2006; http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1752001,00.html
[2] Ambassador To U.N. John Bolton At ZOA Dinner: It’s A Fantasy That Israel Is Treated Fairly At U.N., The Zionist Organization of America 13/12/2005; http://www.zoa.org/pressrel2005/20051213a.htm
