AJC Deeply Dismayed by UN General Assembly Resolution on Israel
November 17, 2006 - New York - The American Jewish Committee expresses its regret and disappointment over the one-sided resolution adopted by the Tenth Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly. In censuring Israel, the General Assembly ignored the political realities on the ground and failed to understand the severity of the terror campaign perpetrated by Palestinian terror organizations against Israel and its citizens.
AJC applauds the United States, Australia and the other five nations who voted against the resolution. Their principled stance gives us hope that one day the General Assembly will display fidelity to the UN founding principles, and will steer itself back to the right path.
Just over a year ago, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, giving the Palestinian leadership an historic opportunity to establish its authority in the area - and thereby improve living condition for the Palestinian residents. Rather than availing itself of this opportunity, the Hamas-led Palestinian Authority has actively supported terror attacks, in particular the firing of rockets, against Israeli towns and villages adjacent to the Gaza Strip. Further, the Hamas government continues to hold kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
In carrying out its recent military operation, Israel has exercised its right of self-defense, which is enshrined in the UN Charter. Israel has taken military measures only as a last resort, after repeated warnings to the Palestinian leadership went unheeded.
The AJC has long supported a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on a two-state solution. But such a settlement can only be achieved when there is a credible Palestinian leadership willing to engage in the quest for peace, first and foremost by accepting the three principles set by the Quartet, i.e., recognition of Israel?s right to exist, renunciation of terrorism and acceptance of existing agreements with Israel. According to the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, the convening of an Emergency Special Session requires that there be no concurrent General Assembly regular session. As the General Assembly is currently holding its regular session, the resumption of the Tenth Emergency Special Session today was in clear violation of the Rules of Procedure.
Ari M. Gordon Program Associate, Intergroup Affairs The American Jewish Committee 165 E56th St. New York, NY 10022 (212) 751-4000 x266 www.ajc.org www.engagingamerica.org