The US blocked a public virtual meeting of the UN Security Council toaddress the escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip and Israel, diplomatsfamiliar with the matter said on Thursday.
The open meeting was requested by China, Tunisia and Norway to be heldFriday, but the US said “an open meeting tomorrow will not support thesede-escalatory efforts,” diplomats told Anadolu Agency.
Instead, the US proposed an open debate on Tuesday, according to thediplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The US blocked a Security Council statement on Wednesday regarding thespiraling violence as Israel continues to pound densely-populated Gaza withairstrikes amid continued rocket attacks from Palestinian groups.
The nixed statement followed a second council briefing from UN SpecialEnvoy for Israeli-Palestinian Peace Tor Wennesland.
It “expressed deep concern about the latest situation in Gaza, and calledfor an immediate cessation of hostilities,” and further “expressed concernabout the tensions and violence in East Jerusalem, especially in and aroundthe holy sites.”
“Council members demanded immediate cessation of all acts of violence,provocation, incitement and destruction. They called for respect forinternational law, including international humanitarian law and theprotection of civilians,” it said.
The death toll from Israel’s continuing offensive on Gaza has left 103dead, including 27 children and 11 women, according to the PalestinianHealth Ministry. An additional 580 people have been injured.
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Seven Israelis have been killed in recent violence — six in rocket attacksin addition to a soldier who was killed when an anti-tank guided missilestruck his jeep.
Tensions have been running high in the Sheikh Jarrah area in occupied EastJerusalem over the past month as Israeli settlers have repeatedly clashedwith residents following a court order for the eviction of Palestinianfamilies in the area. The Israeli Supreme Court later delayed a hearing onan appeal.
Palestinians protesting in solidarity with residents of Sheikh Jarrah havealso been targeted by Israeli forces and settler groups.
Israel occupied East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and annexedthe entire city in 1980 — a move that has never been recognized by theinternational community.
*Betul Yuruk contributed to this report from the United Nations
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