The AP reported earlier that Qatar is circulating a draft Security Council resolution demanding that Israel end its operations in Gaza and release the Hamas officials it has arrested. The draft faced immediate opposition from the U.S. and France, which called it unbalanced in its criticism of Israel.
In another Vital Perspective exclusive, we've obtained a copy of the draft resolution and have transcribed several sections. Please be aware that it is not a complete text, but that it's so one sided, the French have a problem with it. "It is not balanced enough, and we will propose amendments, and we think it requires a lot of work," said French Ambassador Jean-Marc de la Sabliere after the council's initial closed-door talks on the draft.
There is no mention of the hundreds of rocket attacks Israel has faced, no mention of dismantling the terror organizations and only passing mention of Gilad Shalit. Instead, we read about Israeli force against civilians, releasing the Hamas terrorists, the Assad flyover and the prisoners document. All of the below statements fall under the heading of "The Security Council..." The emphasis is ours.
Expressing its grave concern at the continued deterioration of the situation on the ground in the Palestinian Territory occupied by Israel since 1967, including East Jerusalem, during recent weeks, particularly as a result of the excessive and indiscriminate use of force by Israel, the occupying Power, which has caused extensive loss of civilian Palestinian life and injuries, including among children;
Demands that Israel, the occupying Power, immediately cease its aggression against the Palestinian civilian population in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, immediately withdraw its forces to positions outside the Gaza Strip and release all of the Palestinian officials it has detained;
Expresses its appreciation for all efforts aimed at finding a diplomatic solution for the issue of the release of prisoners, including the Israeli soldier;
Stresses that confrontational acts on other fronts constitute a threat to regional stability and international peace and security;
Calls upon the international community, including the Quartet, to take immediate steps, including confidence-building measures between the parties, with the objective of resuming peace negotiations and restarting the peace process, bearing in mind the recent agreement reached among the Palestinian parties for national reconciliation, which facilitates the path towards the resumption of negotiations and the peace process;
John Bolton said "it's far from anything that could be brought to a vote." We agree, and we look forward to a swift Bolton veto should this resolution ever come to a vote in the Security Council.
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