Israeli military action in Gaza and the West Bank.
The resolution, which also demands the lifting of the
blockade on Gaza and calls for international action to
protect Palestinian civilians, was proposed by Arab
and Muslim countries and passed by 30 votes in favor,
one against and 15 abstentions, during an emergency
session of the 47-member U.N. Human Rights Council.
Canada voted against the measure. European countries
abstained on the grounds that the resolution did not
address the firing of rockets by Palestinian militants
into Israel.
"We believe that this council should deplore the fact
that innocent civilians on both sides are suffering,"
Slovenia's ambassador, Andrej Logar, said on behalf
of the seven EU members of the council.
The United States is not a member of the council.
The Palestinian representative in Geneva said
the resolution was intended to highlight abuses
committed by Israel.
"We recognize Israel, but we are against what
Israel is practicing against our people,"
Mohammad Abu-Koash told journalists
after the meeting.
During a debate Wednesday on the situation in Gaza,
a majority of countries lined up to denounce the closure
of Gaza's border by Israel. The U.N.'s top human rights
official, Louise Arbour, said the closure had caused
"desperation" among Palestinians.
Too bad they do not have any enforcement powers to
do something to stop Israel from their murderous ways!
