‘US Veto Wall’ should be Overcome to Sanction Israel
Due to the veto threat, Arab countries are expected to bring the issue first to the UN General Council and then the Security Council. Israel demanded that Washington prevent a possible sanction decision from Security Council.
American officials indicated that there was no need for UN to take a stand against Israel for now and thus hinted at a veto. Israel radio announced yesterday that Washington promised to veto any resolutions against Israel in the Council.
The ICJ’s decision the other day says that Israil’s ‘security wall’ on Palestinion lands is against international law. The ICJ called on Israel to stop building the wall right away, destroy the wall already built in the occupied territories and pay indemnities to Palestinians who were damaged by the wall. The ICJ also demanded that the UN Security Council fulfill its duty to stop the construction.
Nasir Al Kidva, Palestine’s observer in UN, indicated that they would work to practice the decision and would carry the issue to the Security Council.
The Arab Union’s UN representative, Ambassador Yahya Mahmassani, stressed that Arab countries would send letters demanding that the General Council gather and enact the decision.
UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric added that Secretary General Kofi Annan sent the court verdict to the General Council.
Israel Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom, declaring that Israel would continue to built the wall despite the verdict, said that they wanted American officials to veto any decision against Israel in Security Council.
US Spokesman Richard Boucher said, "I know there are debates for bringing the issue to the United Nations. We do not think it is necessary for the UN Security Council to interfere with the issue now."
