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World Pressure Mounts For Immediate Israeli Withdrawal
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Growing world concern toward Israeli atrocities against
Palestinians |
PARIS, April 8 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) – World criticism increased toward Israeli atrocities in the Palestinian territories, as the French President summoned Israel’s ambassador and called for Israel to respect UN resolutions. And the U.S. administration reiterated Monday its call for an immediate Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian areas.
Speaking to journalists after receiving Israel’s ambassador Elie Barnavi, Chirac said he told him that "the demands formulated - over and again and unanimously - by the UN Security Council must be respected."
Chirac said he insisted on the "withdrawal of Israeli forces, the respect of international humanitarian law and the protection of the civilian population and foreign nationals," according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Chirac said he communicated "our emotion in the face of what is happening at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, and how much importance we attach to the respect of all places of worship, Christian, Jewish or Muslim."
For its part, the U.S. administration repeated its call for an immediate Israeli withdrawal, after earlier calls were met by Israeli Premier’s defiance.
In a speech to parliament earlier Monday, Sharon spurned calls to pull back his forces he sent in on March 29 and gave no date for any withdrawal.
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U.S. Middle East special envoy Anthony Zinni met Sharon to deliver "a serious message" from President Bush, a White House spokesman said, reported BBC’s online news service.
Bush restated his demands in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Monday.
"I meant what I said to the prime minister of Israel. I expect there to be withdrawal without delay," Bush said.
For his part, European Commission President Romano Prodi repeated the call for Israeli forces to withdraw and urged Israel to guarantee safe access for aid workers to the Palestinian population.
And the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, added his voice to the call but cautioned against expecting too much from the present peace mission of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell.
"It's not going to be easy. He doesn't have a magic wand so we should not expect miracles," Annan told reporters.
For his part, Powell said Monday, in Morocco, that Israel should quit the West Bank "now," warning its massive military operation to crush Palestinian resistance was creating "significant and severe" problems.
"We all believe it is time for them to begin withdrawal," Powell said, speaking after Sharon rebuffed Washington again when he told parliament his forces had not completed their mission and would stay until it was finished.
Referring to previous calls by Bush for Israeli troops to end their invasion of Palestinian cities begun March 29, Powell told reporters here: "The president meant 'now'".
Powell arrived in Morocco earlier Monday, was asked bluntly by the king in their opening remarks before journalists, "Don't you think it would be more important to go to Jerusalem first?"
"That was considered," Powell replied, before adding that he wanted to consult with other Arab and European leaders first.
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