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Last update - 08:56 11/01/2009 ANALYSIS / UN Gaza truce resolution was serious diplomatic malfunction By Aluf Benn Tags: UN, Gaza, Hamas, Israel News Resolution 1860 by the United Nations Security Council, which called for a cease-fire in Gaza, should be seen as an expression of the international community's discomfort about the continued fighting. It does not dictate halting the Israeli operation nor does it demand the immediate pullout of Israel Defense Forces troops from the Strip before security arrangements are made to guarantee long-term stability. Advertisement But even if the decision bears no operative significance, it should stir concerns in Israel for three reasons. First, things are not going to get better. This is the international position, which identifies with the Palestinian suffering and ignores Gilad Shalit's fate and the suffering of the people in Israel's south. Second, although Hamas is not mentioned in the resolution - which it has rejected - Khaled Meshal, Ismail Haniyeh and their friends have good reason to smile. Hamas' Gaza regime now enjoys the legitimacy afforded it by the Security Council, the international community's highest institution. That's because Resolution 1680 refers to a Hamas republic as a fait accompli. The resolution does not demand that the Strip be returned to the Palestinian Authority, except in the call for a renewed settlement for the crossings, which will be based on the old agreement between Israel and the PA. Nor does the resolution call for disarming the militias and terrorist groups operating in the Gaza Strip. Third, the process that led to the passing of the resolution points to Jerusalem's failure in handling the issue. Israel objected to having the war end in a Security Council resolution similar to the one that ended the Second Lebanon War. This is probably why Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni - who led those who oppose an agreement for fear it might legitimize Hamas - opted to stay at home instead of heading over to the UN headquarters in New York. Israel made a similar mistake a few years ago, when it refused to appear before the International Court of Justice in the Hague when it reviewed the separation fence. And the problem with this decision is that he UN, like the justices in Hague, ruled without taking Israel's position into account. A situation like this makes Israel dependent on the United States. But U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice supported the UN Resolution and assisted with its formulation. Livni was in contact with Rice in an attempt to soften its wording. At the last minute, at 3:30 A.M., Prime Minister Ehud Olmert also intervened with a desperate phone call to President George W. Bush, requesting that the United States veto the resolution. Bush refused, simply instructing Rice to abstain from the vote. One doesn't need to know all the details to realize that a late-night phone call between national leaders is the result of a major malfunction in the diplomatic handling of state matters, which reveals a problem in the relationship between Israel and the United States. If it were not for Bush's friendship, the United States would have joined the supporters of Resolution 1860. Related articles: Text of UN Security Council resolution for Gaza cease-fire Investigation shows errant mortar hit UN building ANALYSIS / Israel should have embraced the UN's Gaza truce proposal Bookmark to del.icio.us   IDF warns Gazans The IDF is making every effort to prevent civilian deaths by warning of impending attacks. Pro-Israel rallies Thousands attend pro-Israel rallies across Europe, N.Y.   1.   Israel`s dismal diplomacy. 05:40  |  Fortuna Benmayor 11/01/09   2.   What did the Israeli Proposed Resolution State? 07:39  |  Mark of Lewiston 11/01/09   3.   Will our politicians that brought us to this situation 08:51  |  Zev 11/01/09   4.   I disagree 08:59  |  simon 11/01/09   5.   Not all has been revealed here 09:18  |  Scott 11/01/09   6.   #2 What did Israel`s draft resolution say, Mark? 09:33  |  Johnboy 11/01/09   7.   You people are kidding yourselves 10:55  |  Colin Wright 11/01/09   8.   History has its own schedule 16:46  |  Shimon Cleopas 11/01/09   9.   UN Insignificant!! 16:55  |  Ray S 11/01/09   10.   The UN is irrelevant. Waiting for Obama... 17:53  |  S 11/01/09   11.   Resolution 1860 09:55  |  Yousuf Nasim 12/01/09   12.   Fortuna - excellent comment 10:49  |  Ed 12/01/09   13.   Agree re Obama 10:52  |  Ed 12/01/09

Read & React Legal expert: Rising Gaza death toll doesn't mean IDF acts are disproportionate Responses: 41 Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza Responses: 28 IDF: Hamas rocket fire down 50% since start of Gaza op Responses: 19 Gideon Levy: Israel's leaders will pay for the bloodshed in Gaza Responses: 18 Aluf Benn: Israel has a double standard when it comes to UN resolutions Responses: 18 More Headlines 11:24 Hamas reportedly rejects Egypt bid for long-term Gaza truce 11:50 Livni: No need for talks with Hamas, its words are meaningless 09:54 IDF: Hamas rocket fire down 50% since start of Gaza op 08:25 ANALYSIS / Perhaps Israel should quit Gaza op while it's still ahead 08:34 Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza 09:55 On Day 17 of op, IDF bombs dozens of targets across Gaza 11:28 Amira Hass / Gazans doing their best to avoid becoming death statistics 09:40 Legal expert: Rising Gaza death toll doesn't mean IDF acts are disproportionate 10:17 IDF clips of Gaza offensive are fourth biggest hit on YouTube 10:16 Israel's 'Waltz with Bashir,' on 1982 Lebanon War, wins Golden Globe for best foreign film 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 10:58 Gaza radio: IDF breaking into our signals to blame Hamas for Gaza war 11:33 U.S. Army: Probe into Israel Israel spy has nothing to do with religion 11:19 Despite IDF resistance, France urges European observers to monitor Gaza 22:37 WATCH: IDF uncovers booby-trapped school next to Gaza zoo 23:47 IDF begins deploying reservists into Gaza as part of ground op 22:11 WATCH: IDF drops leaflets over Gaza, warning of impending attack 19:27 Two Egyptian children among 4 wounded in IAF strike near Gaza 09:01 Israel arrests 700 people, mostly Arabs, in protests against IDF Gaza op 09:40 Report: Madonna receives death threats from Muslim extremists 05:55 Joe the Plumber trades his wrench for a reporter's notepad in Sderot 03:18 Dead Sea makes candidate list for 'seven natural wonders' 17:34 IDF soldiers come under fire at Syria border fence 21:48 Obama: Gaza war underscores need for immediate Mideast solution Previous Editions Select Day 11 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 29 dec

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