ISRAEL HAS UNDERMINED THE EFFICACY OF THE UN SYSTEM

The chief Palestinian negotiator Sa’eb Erekat on October 25 accused Israel of undermining the efficacy of the United Nations. Erekat said in a press statement on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the United Nations that the member states pledged through the UN Charter to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, promote human rights and “establish the conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained.” The negotiator said that “when Israel, joined the United Nations in 1949, it vowed to uphold this cause.” “Instead” Erekat said, “what we have witnessed is constant violations of not only of this Charter, but numerous General Assembly and Security Council Resolutions. In the process, Israel has undermined the efficacy of and derogated the UN System, the very authority through which it was created. Instead, Israel works diligently to pressure its allies to oppose the creation of a Palestinian state.” He added: “It is time for Israel to stop its blatant disregard for international law and international consensus. It is time for Israel to respect human rights and the right of self determination of the Palestinian people.”