Israel withdraws from Bethlehem, criticizes Annan
Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/2/2004

The Israeli occupation forces withdrew from the city of Bethlehem, the West Bank after hours from incurring its military vehicles in it for the second time in 24 hours.

On Friday, the occupation forces incurred in Bethlehem and demolished the house of the family of the executor of a resistance operation, Muhammad Jaara, in Aida camp and detained 14 Palestinians in a campaign of arrest and detention covered several houses.

In the same context, the Israeli ambassador at the UN, Dan Jillerman, openly criticized the UN secretary general Kofi Annan. Jillerman said in a press conference he feels "frustrated and frightened" over Annan's failure to deplore the Palestinian operation in Jerusalem which took place on Thursday.

He added that while Israel honors Annan's efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East, his statement indicates not to give mention to the Israelis killed in Jerusalem explosion which also wounded 50 Israelis.

In Brussels and before the Israeli ambassador made his statements in New York, Annan said that he continuously condemns the Palestinian guerilla operations.

The spokeswoman for the UN said that Annan's policy in the Middle East should see light, in light of all statements issued to this effect, and that one statement "does not make a policy."

Annan had said in one part of his statement that he deplores "those who resort to violence and terrorism," without defining in name the Jerusalem operation. He also did not refer to the Israeli incursion in Gaza which resulted in killing 8 Palestinians and wounding of scores.

The UN Security Council failed to issue a statement condemning the Jerusalem operation because of the difference over the formula of the statement after Algeria and other states, members in the council, asked the statement to include also a denunciation for Israel's massacre in Gaza.

Previous Stories:
  Three Palestinians killed, Hamas plans to kidnap for exchange   (1/31/2004)
  Resistance vow continued confrontation; al-Aqsa group claims Jerusalem operation   (1/30/2004)
  UNRAW: Israel demolished 14852 houses in Gaza   (1/27/2004)
  Hamas proposes a ten- year truce   (1/26/2004)

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