Protection of Palestinians, an ever- pressing demand

Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa expressed hope that the Security Council would reach a collective stand on providing protection for the Palestinians, adding that denying the Palestinians this right is a double-standard policy and a setback for the march of human rights.

Replying to reporters' queries Sunday on US rejection of an Arab draft resolution calling for dispatching troops to protect the Palestinians in the occupied lands, Moussa said that protection of the Palestinians has become a legitimate and pressing demand in the face of Israeli blockade and settlement policies.

"Protection of Israel, whose policies are rejected by the international community, instead of the Palestinian victims, will negatively affect the ability of the world diplomacy to push things towards comprehensive peace," he said.

"It is also a clear message for Israel that it cannot go too far in defying the norms and criteria," added Moussa.

"If matters were left to the Israelis, they would always reject protection of the Palestinian people," he elaborated.

"Israel can never be the opponent and the judge at the same time," said Moussa.

On Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's threats to strike a prolonged comprehensive siege on the PA lands, Moussa questioned how he could do that at a time he is calling on the Palestinians to surrender.