UN Criticizes Israel

The United Nations Security council reacted swiftly to Friday's escalation of violence in the Middle East. In a unanimous vote of 14 to 0, the Security Council adopted a resolution calling for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Ramallah and other Palestinian cities.

The resolution expresses "grave concern" at recent suicide bombings in Israel and the "military attack" against Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah. It says Israelis and Palestinians should "move immediately to a "meaningful cease-fire."

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Palestinians had to stop "horrific terrorist attacks" against Israeli civilians. But he also minced no words in telling Israel to halt its assault on the Palestinian Authority. "Terrorism will not bring the Palestinian people closer to their long-deserved claim of the right to self-determination," he said. "Destroying the Palestinian Authority will not bring Israel closer to peace."

Norway drafts resolution

The UN resolution was drafted by Council President Ole Peter Kolby of Norway. "There is no excuse for the killing of innocent civilians," Kolby said. He added that "the Israeli bombardment of Palestinian cities and institutions, which has lead to death and destruction, is unacceptable."

In a marathon debate, the Security Council debated Kolby's draft resolution throughout the night.

Some 30 national representatives spoke up during the debate to present their country's views on the issue. Most of them sharply criticized Israel's action and demanded it should withdraw its troops from Ramallah.

Arab states had called for the emergency Security Council meeting. Syria had urged the Council for an even stronger condemnation of Israel's military campaign in the Palestinian territories. But as it couldn't find support for its proposal, the country's representatives walked out of the meeting.

US policy shift

At the end of the debate, the United States also voted in favor of the resolution. This marked a decisive policy shift. Only on Friday had U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell taken a more sympathetic stance towards Israel. He had expressed sympathy with Israel's decision to respond militarily after a series of attacks on Israeli civilians.

Meanwhile, Israeli tanks are still besieging Yasser Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah. Israel has assured Washington that the Palestinian leader will not be harmed or captured during the incursion into his headquarters.

Arafat is still holed up in an underground bunker within the complex. His power and water-lines have been cut, but Arafat remains defiant.

In a telephone interview on Palestinian television on Friday, Arafat made clear that the end of the spiral of violence was not in sight "We are going to Jerusalem, giving millions of martyrs on the way," he said.