Israel says no to Tutu visit
11/12/2006 13:15  - (SA)  

Want to know more? Answerit can help.

Tutu to head UN Gaza mission Tutu to head UN Gaza mission Tutu blasts Israeli 'atrocity' Tutu blasts Israeli 'atrocity' Israel regrets Gaza deaths Israel regrets Gaza deaths

Geneva - A UN mission to be led by South Africa's Desmond Tutu to probe last month's deaths of 19 civilians in Gaza under Israeli shelling has been called off because Israel did not authorise the trip, a spokesperson said on Monday.

The Nobel Peace laureate, who was asked to head the team by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, had other engagements and could not wait any longer for Israeli permission, she added.

"It has been cancelled. We were supposed to go yesterday (Sunday)," spokesperson Sonia Bakar said.

The United Nations' top human rights body condemned the November 8 deaths at Beit Hanoun and last month voted to send a mission to investigate the incident.

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesperson Miri Eisin said Israel had investigated and acknowledged its mistakes in the incident, seeing no role for the UN mission.

"The commission was sent on the premise that Israel targets civilians and it did not take into account the daily rocket fire targeting Israeli civilians."

- Reuters

What is this? Yahoo Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance
	News24 Headlines on your Facebook profile		News24 on mobile

• Most Read
• Most Commented
• Most Emailed

Clean shave led to rapist
Mom misses son's last call
'ANC must stop mocking Jesus'

Race tension growing - survey
No more nightmares for Courtney
SA uncertain about Motlanthe

'The ANC has lost control'
Inmates' freedom 'worrying'
Balance the blame

ANC no 'exclusive authority'
Get out of my way!
'May the fox be with you'

'May the fox be with you'
High alert at Indian airports
Heavy snowfalls hit UK

Race tension growing - survey
Clerics: ANC claim not blasphemy
Grants a 'licence to fortune'