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| [PHOTO: UNifeed] |
Washington: The UN Security Council has rejected a resolution that was aimed at ending the Israeli control of the Occupied Palestinian Territories by 2017.
The vote was eight in favour, two -- the United States and Australia – against, and five abstentions.
The resolution, introduced on behalf of the 22- member Arab Group by Council member Jordan, called for "a full phased withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces, which will end the occupation that began in 1967 over an agreed transition period in a reasonable timeframe, not to exceed the end of 2017."
The resolution said the council "affirms the urgent need to attain, no later than 12 months after the adoption of this resolution, a just, lasting and comprehensive peaceful solution that brings to an end the Israeli occupation since 1967 and fulfills the vision of two, independent, democratic and prosperous states, Israel and as sovereign, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within mutually and internationally recognized borders."
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said the resolution would "undermine" efforts to achieve a two state solution, and "addresses the needs of only one side." She said peace must be achieved at the negotiation table.
Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar said, "The fact that this draft resolution was not adopted will not at prevent us from proceeding to push the international community, specifically the United Nations towards affective involvement to achieving the resolution to this conflict."
The vote was eight in favour, two -- the United States and Australia – against, and five abstentions.
The resolution, introduced on behalf of the 22- member Arab Group by Council member Jordan, called for "a full phased withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces, which will end the occupation that began in 1967 over an agreed transition period in a reasonable timeframe, not to exceed the end of 2017."
The resolution said the council "affirms the urgent need to attain, no later than 12 months after the adoption of this resolution, a just, lasting and comprehensive peaceful solution that brings to an end the Israeli occupation since 1967 and fulfills the vision of two, independent, democratic and prosperous states, Israel and as sovereign, contiguous and viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security within mutually and internationally recognized borders."
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power said the resolution would "undermine" efforts to achieve a two state solution, and "addresses the needs of only one side." She said peace must be achieved at the negotiation table.
Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar said, "The fact that this draft resolution was not adopted will not at prevent us from proceeding to push the international community, specifically the United Nations towards affective involvement to achieving the resolution to this conflict."
In a series of meetings this week the Arab Group adjusted the wording on the future of Jerusalem, Israeli settlements and on the issue of prisoner, but left much of the text intact. -UNifeed