Israel intensifies efforts to prevent convening of Geneva conference
Palestine-Israel-UN, Politics, 7/12/1999

Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy yesterday urged the Palestinian Authority to demand the cancellation of the international conference concerning applying the Geneva Convention in the Palestinian areas.

Levy discussed in a meeting held yesterday with high-ranking officials in his ministry means of dealing with the Geneva convention that will be held on Thursday to discuss Israeli violations in the Palestinian areas, especially the attempts to Judaize Jerusalem.

The Palestinian officials immediately replied that they refused the Israeli demand.

Meanwhile, speaking on the importance of this issue to the Palestinians, the UN counselor for Palestine at the UN, Marwan Jilani, said this conference is "very relevant" and will reaffirm the applicability of the 4th Geneva Convention in the occupied territories, adding that what is different this time from previous UN General Assembly resolutions is that this international convention on July 15 will give this issue "legal status" in international law.

Jilani said the reason that Israel is very angry and worried about this conference is that "the Geneva Convention was founded as a result of war crimes in W.W.II against civilians," adding that the Israelis will be seen in that light.

Asked whether this conference will keep pressure on Israel to move towards peace, Jilani said, "This issue is a question of upholding internal law" and the human rights of the Palestinians.

Previous Stories:
  Peres meets Mubarak: We will not wait long to see the peace process resumed   (7/7/1999)
  Indyk: Egypt strategic partner for US   (6/30/1999)
  APU final statement calls for Middle East peace   (6/30/1999)
  Palestinian Authority officially invited to attend Geneva conference   (6/26/1999)

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