Israel defies UN Security Council

Israel defies a joint demand by Russia, the USA, the United Kingdom, France and China to leave the two Palestinian cities it has occupied in Cisjordan.

The 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council also appealed to the Palestinians to stop the Intifada, which started in September, 2001.

Israel has frequently refused to obey UN Resolutions calling on this state to leave the occupied territories which it has seized from the Palestinians and to stop the practice of building colonies on these territories. Israel claims that while there are Islamic militants in the region, the Israeli armed forces will remain in Jenin and Tulkarm.

Israeli forces also entered the Gaza Strip today (November 13th) and destroyed some houses after a bomb had been discovered and deactivated. Meanwhile, Amnesty International has attacked both Israel and the Palestinians for disregard of human rights. So far 891 people (703 Palestinians and 188 Israelis) have died in the Intifada (uprising).

Amnesty International calls for international observers to be sent to the area, a measure contested by Israel but welcomed by the Palestinians.

Timothy BANCROFT-HINCHEY PRAVDA.Ru