Palestinians accuse US of 'blocking' UN statement on Gaza

Jerusalem, April 1: The Palestinians on Saturday accused the US of blocking a UNSC statement on the situation in the Gaza Strip and said Washington’s objection encourages Israel to continue its aggressive action against the Palestinian people. The Palestinian tiol Authority Minister of Foreign Affairs Riyad al-Malki said in an official statement that “Washington would block any effort in the Security Council related to the massacre committed and to be committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip,” Xinhua reported. He added that “without the absolute US protection in the Security Council, Israel won’t dare to commit terrible crimes against the Palestinians.”

In a closed-door session held at a request of Kuwait to discuss the bloody incidents in the Gaza Strip on Friday evening, the UN Security Council failed to agree on a statement condemning Israel’s repression of the Palestinian popular protests on the anniversary of the Land Day. He also said “the efforts are continuing... we will see in the next few hours and days whether we will succeed in this, or what are the other steps if they remain insistent on not allowing the council to assume its responsibilities in condemning the crime and prosecuting those responsible.” (IANS)