Arab Nations Set For 2nd Gaza Let-Down
Diplomatic efforts continued at the United Nations on Monday with Arab foreign ministers pressing for a cease fire between Israel and Hamas.
The Arab nations prepared a new draft Security Council Resolution to be presented when Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attends meetings in New York on Tuesday. An open Security Council meeting is planned.
But not much appeared to have changed, despite meetings between the Arab foreign ministers, the U.S. Ambassador, and other permanent members of the Council.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki said, "We are here with the expectation that all members of the Security Council will work in a positive spirit with us in order to reach an agreement over a draft resolution that will be passed hopefully tomorrow afternoon."
The Arab League is setting the stage for yet another disappointment at the U.N. if significant changes are not made.
Israel is hoping for a diplomatic solution outside the U.N. — one which would require a commitment from Hamas to end rocket attacks on southern Israel. That requirement is still missing from the new Arab League draft resolution.
The new Arab proposal, which is still being finalized, calls for a cease fire, an immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops, the opening of crossing points, monitoring mechanisms and a U.N. international peacekeeping force to protect the civilian population of Gaza, according to Moussa.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said the effort to negotiate a cease fire was being hampered by the continuing Hamas rocket fire.
Livni told the visiting European delegation in Israel: "The world has to understand that it must choose a camp — Israel or the terrorists."