United Nations, Nov 13: Israel has introduced in a United Nations committee a resolution calling for protection of its children from terrorism on the lines of one adopted last week asking Tel Aviv to ensure protection of Palestinian children. The resolution ran into immediate opposition from Palestinians who questioned Israel's motive in moving it and contended its aim is to achieve "illegitimate political goals." But Israel ambassador Dan Gillerman said the vote on it would show fairness of the committee.
This was the first resolution moved by Israel since 1976.
Introducing the resolution in the committee dealing with social and humanitarian issues, Gillerman claimed the resolution adopted earlier was one-sided as it had addressed only the situation of Palestinian children. The Israel resolution sought to protect its children from effects of Palestinian terrorism.
Responding to it, Palestinian representative Nadya Rasheed said the resolution introduced by Israel copied the text and format of the resolution on Palestinian children, thereby "trivialising the suffering of Palestinian children".
Furthermore, the Israeli draft ran contrary to all the arguments Israel had made for rejecting the Palestinian resolution. The draft reflected the "distorted and unacceptable Israeli positions," and is unacceptable. It is more anti-Palestinian children than it is pro-Israeli children, she remarked.
Gillerman said Israeli position is that there should be no discrimination and added that he is surprised by the support it had received so far.
American diplomats said they would support Israeli draft even though the united states had voted against the resolution on Palestinian children.
Israel had amended its original draft in an effort to win support among member states, dropping reference to "Palestinian terrorist groups" but it still names Hamas, Islamic Jihad and al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade for directing attacks against its civilians, including its children.
Rasheed said even the amended draft is unacceptable to Palestinians and charged Israel with "shamelessly" abusing Israeli children to gain its "illegitimate political goals". Bureau Report