New Zealand Security Council Resolution Seeks to Address Issues on Both Sides

New Zealand will attempt to persuade the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution it believes addresses the concerns of both Israelis and Palestinians: calling on Israel to halt construction in communities located on land Israel conquered in the 1967 war and end the demolitions of the homes of families of terrorists in the West Bank; and calling on the Palestinian Authority to suspend its campaign to bring war crimes charges against Israel in the International Criminal Court along with other “confidence-building measures.” New Zealand had been prepared to act months ago but deferred its planned resolution at the request of the United States. But with the violence currently escalating over allegations that Israel seeks to alter the status quo regarding holy sites in Jerusalem, Wellington decided to proceed with its attempt to broker peace beginning with a resolution it believes addresses both sides’ concerns fairly. It also calls for the Quartet – the Mideast peace broker comprised of the United Nations, United States, European Union and Russia – and Arab countries to lend their support to the effort. France is also trying to proffer a Security Council resolution regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but partisans contacted by The Media Line see the New Zealand offering as having greater potential for passage.