Palestine: Sanctions on Israel

2003-11-20 15:04

Ramallah - The Palestinian Authority urged the United Nations to impose sanctions on Israel on Thursday over what it called its "refusal" to implement the Middle East roadmap despite a United Nations resolution.

"We appeal to the quartet (the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia) to take practical measures by declaring sanctions against Israel for its refusal to implement the roadmap," said Nabil Abu Rudeina, the chief advisor to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

"The fact that Israel insists on conditions and the fact that it is not applying the roadmap proves that it is looking to sabotage all efforts at finding peace in the region."

Despite strong objections from Israel and initial opposition from the United States, the UN Security Council voted unanimously on Wednesday for a Russian-backed resolution to put its stamp of approval on the roadmap plan, which envisages a Palestinian state by 2005.

But Israel's Trade Minister Ehud Olmert, official number two to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, said on Thursday that the government does not feel bound by the unanimous resolution.

"It is possible that we will hold talks with the new Palestinian government on the basis of the roadmap but ... Israel does not feel that it is bound by the resolution," he told public radio.

A government statement also said Israel would only accept judgement from the United States on how the roadmap was being implemented. "Israel will not accept any other intervention in implementing the plan," it added.

The roadmap sponsored by the quartet calls on Israel to halt all Jewish settlement activity and dismantle outposts, as well as stipulating that the Palestinians must act against armed factions.

- AFP