Arab and Muslim states will demand the U.N.'s top human rights forum should censure Israel for alleged abuses against Palestinians and that it halt a military assault in Gaza, according to a draft text obtained by Reuters on Tuesday. Tunisia, acting on behalf of the 57-country Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), submitted the resolution to the U.N. Human Rights Council ahead of its special session on the territories -- scheduled for Wednesday at the OIC's request.
The OIC draft text accuses Israel of arbitrarily arresting Palestinian leaders and of destroying bridges, and water and power plants. A simple majority would be required for adoption by the 47-member state forum in Geneva. Diplomats expected the debate to continue on Thursday and the vote to be close.
The forum, which has moral authority, succeeded the widely-discredited U.N. Commission on Human Rights, but has already been criticised by Israel and the United States of singling out the Jewish state. |