Ban Ki-Moon with Saudi King Abdullah: Yes, master
Ban Ki-Moon, tool of the largest voting bloc in the UN, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, does his masters' bidding. "UN chief calls for immediate halt of violence in Gaza, southern Israel," from Xinhua, December 27 (thanks to Pamela):
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- U.N. Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Saturday called for an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza and southern Israel, condemning excessive use of force leading to civilian casualties and ongoing rocket attacks by militants.In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ban said that he is "deeply alarmed" by the heavy violence and bloodshed in Gaza, and the continuation of violence in southern Israel, and called for "an immediate halt to all violence."
While recognizing Israel's security concerns regarding the continued firing of rockets from Gaza [No, he doesn't -- RS], the UN chief firmly reiterated Israel's obligation to uphold international humanitarian and human rights law, and condemned excessive use of force leading to the killing and injuring of civilians.
Here again we see that the UN remains completely indifferent to the daily rocket barrages that Israeli civilians have had to endure, but any self-defense action by Israel is immediately deemed "excessive."
"He condemns the ongoing rocket attacks by Palestinian militants and is deeply distressed that repeated calls on Hamas for these attacks to end have gone unheeded," the statement added.
He is "distressed," but doesn't seem to think anyone should do anything about it.
"The secretary-general reiterates his previous calls for humanitarian supplies to be allowed into Gaza to aid the distressed civilian population," the statement said. "He is making immediate contact with regional and international leaders, including Quartet principals, in an effort to bring a swift end to the violence."...
As if humanitarian aid supplies have not been allowed in:
Pictures of the suffering of more Gazans, rather than less, is Hamas' OWN goal. It aids the propaganda machine.
Hamas prevents removal of the injured to Egypt.
Now, for what possible reason could that be?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7801881.stm
What would be the reaction of the United States, if say, border towns in Mexico were daily firing off rockets into downtown El Paso or San Diego and then having the chutzpah to demand food, supplies, and medical aid? I suspect, at least I hope, that we would find that situation unacceptable and that our response would be similar to that of Israel's. Israel needs to step up their response and not worry about a proportionate response, whatever that is. They need to use what General Colin Powell articulated, and later became known as the Powell Doctrine, and hit them with overwhelming force and make it clear that not one rocket, not one suicide bomber, not one rock thrower, will be acceptable in the future. Perhaps, and only perhaps, that will be enough for the Hamas attacks stop for awhile. And then there is Fatah...
I hope the "aid" doesn't come from Israel. That would be to much.
The U.N. is useless. Completely useless.
I would like the UN to explain what should be done after the proposed ceasefire to ensure that Hamas stops its rocket attacks. If they can't suggest a viable solution then there's no reason for the IDF to stop their operation.
Typical UN reaction, it could have been worse.