Israel Cuts Contact with Williams Over Nakba Day Report
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The Israeli foreign ministry is cutting contacts with U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams over a report that is highly critical of Israel, the daily Haaretz reported Wednesday.
It said the report of U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, which was written by Williams, concludes that Israeli soldiers used disproportionate force against Lebanese demonstrators on Nakba Day.
“The foreign ministry decided to cancel his periodic visit to Israel, which was due in a number of weeks … (and) told (him) that there was no time to meet with him, and that Israel would relay its views directly to the secretary general's office,” said the Israeli newspaper.
Foreign ministry sources said that it remains unclear whether Israel will resume contact with Williams.
Ban’s report on the implementation of U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 mainly deals with the incidents of Nakba Day on May 15. Israeli soldiers "used direct live fire against unarmed demonstrators" who tried to breach the border fence, it said.
"I call on the Israel Defense Forces to refrain from responding with live fire in such situations, except where clearly required in immediate self-defense,” the report stated.
"Following a verbal warning and firing into the air, the Israel Defense Forces then directed live fire at the protesters at the fence," according to the report, "killing seven civilians and injuring 111."
It added that Israeli soldiers didn’t use conventional crowd control methods or any other method than lethal arms against the unarmed demonstrators.
06 July 2011, 08:23
10
You see this is how Israel responds to war crimes it commits when the UN, the International community, The World Body says something. How about doing an STI. Special tribunal on Israel. Where are all those western civilized states especially AMERICA. Where are all of those people who have been blasting HA on this website. Not only Israel through America is responsible for HA's existence, but these two evil empires are responsible for many things that happen in Lebanon and the middle East whether they are done by them or others.
06 July 2011, 11:42
01
@John,
incidents like this, and taking them up to The Hague court of justice and taking Israel to trial, are much more efficient than declaring that the court is unjust.
The Hague tried many war criminals, it has a very good reputation world wide. When Hassan Nasrallah says he does not accept it's judgement before the trials start, he only discredit himself. That makes it much easier for the pro Israel media to portray him as a barbaric gangster, in future confrontation. It's much easier to get popular and then political support from the rest of the world, when you are perceived as democratic and abide by the normal rules. When someone refuses to go to court, this is barbaric archaic and uncivilised, this is how civilized people settle their dispute, in court.
06 July 2011, 14:54
00
This is a joke right? Disproportionate force? Why? After all Lebanon and Israel are at WAR. Any attempt to breach the border between the two will have to met by force. How would the Lebanese act if Israelis decided to come through?? Receive them with Malabess?? I doubt it...
06 July 2011, 16:27
10
i realize more people from israel are posting comments on this site. Interesting but scary
