Haley:

US will 'unquestionably veto' UN resolution on protecting Palestinians

Rasa - US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said Washington will "unquestionably veto" a UN draft resolution calling for the protection of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

News ID: 437998

Date: 01 June 2018 - 23:34

RNA - After initially deciding to delay action on the measure, the Security Council was expected to finally go ahead with the vote at 7:00 pm (2300 GMT) on Friday.

Haley on Thursday called the text drafted by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries as a "grossly one-sided approach that is morally bankrupt and would only serve to undermine ongoing efforts toward peace between the Israelis and Palestinians."

“There is not one single mention of Hamas in the resolution, when Hamas is chiefly responsible for the recent violence in Gaza. The text criticizes ‘excessive’ and ‘indiscriminate’ use of force by Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians in Gaza, when in fact, it is Hamas that fired 70 rockets indiscriminately into Israeli towns this week,” Haley wrote in a statement.

The Kuwaiti resolution “calls on Israel to immediately cease its actions in self-defense, but makes no mention of Hamas’ aggressive actions against Israeli security forces and civilians,” Haley wrote.

“Those who choose to vote in favor of this resolution will clarify their own lack of fitness to take part in any credible negotiations between the two parties,” concluded the statement.

Kuwait presented its draft two weeks ago that called for an international protection mission for the Palestinians.

A final watered-down version of the Kuwaiti resolution calls for "the consideration of measures to guarantee the safety and protection" of Palestinian civilians.

Haley had vehemently supported Israel at the United Nations after Israeli troops killed more than 60 Palestinians and injured hundreds others at the Great Return March protests earlier this month.

Haley defended Israel’s “restraint” at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council before walking out of the room when Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour began speaking.

She also cast blame on Hamas and its supporters for the bloodshed. Addressing the UN Security Council, Haley said, “Let's remember that the Hamas terrorist organization has been inciting violence for years, long before the United States decided to move our embassy. This is what is endangering the people of Gaza. Make no mistake, Hamas is pleased with the results from yesterday.”

At least 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since the end of March.

According to Press TV, Haley circulated a US draft resolution blaming Hamas for the recent violence in Gaza and demanding that Hamas and Islamic Jihad "cease all violent activity and provocative actions, including along the boundary fence,” AFP reported.

However, it’s unlikely that there will be voting on the US text because it might fail to garner enough support.

American political commentator and antiwar activist Richard Becker told ecently that “it’s a truly outrageous and incredible statement coming from the White House and Nikki Haley, of the United Nations, blaming the Palestinians for the massacre that took place yesterday.”

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