Outcry over US veto of move to protect Arafat
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Palestinian leaders de-nounced the United States yesterday for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution barring Israel from harming Yasser Arafat or expelling him from the West Bank.
Saeb Erakat, a former peace negotiator, told The Independent: "I hope this will not be seen by Israel as a licence to kill Arafat. This veto weakens moderates in this region and strengthens extremism."
Yasser Abed Rabbo, a former information minister, said the Americans were hostage to Israeli hardliners. "The American administration is not living up to its commitments under the road-map [for peace] ... depending on the US efforts and its role is futile."
Mr Arafat dismissed the veto. "No decision here or there will shake us," he told cheering supporters at his Ramallah HQ. "We are bigger than all decisions."
Israel commended the Bush administration for the veto. Silvan Shalom, the Foreign Minister, welcomed the abstention by the UK, Germany and Bulgaria as "a positive step".
The resolution, submitted by the Arab bloc, followed a warning by Israel that it would "re-move" Mr Arafat, an "obstacle" to reconciliation.
John Negroponte, the US ambassador to the UN, said the resolution was vetoed because it did not condemn militant groups such as Hamas or Islamic Jihad. "It did not take a clear stand against these terrorist groups' actions or call for decisive action against them."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments