WHEN JUSTICE FAILS!! IM SO BAFFLED MR SECRETARY GENERAL

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statement to the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East, in New York, 1 March:

Since last Wednesday, there has been a deeply alarming escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel, and a terrible civilian death toll. The scenes from Gaza today have been particularly disturbing.

Some 117 rockets have been fired from Gaza at southern Israel, (really is this your opening statement! excuse for killing 90?) including 26 rockets today. These rockets have been fired at several civilian centres and have extended as far north as the Israeli city of Ashkelon. According to press reports and Israeli Government sources (sure they are saying the truth Ban, the holy word of the holy) the rockets fired at Ashkelon are not home-made Qassams, but rather are rockets of advanced Katyusha-like design, allegedly smuggled into Gaza when the border with Egypt was breached. (i bet they have nuclear heads too, sheesh!) One Israeli civilian (Katyusha like design eh?) has been killed in Sederot and five civilians were reported injured in Ashkelon today, including women and children.

During this same period, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has undertaken attacks from the air and by land on targets in the Gaza Strip. An estimated 90 Palestinians have been killed (i guess those were friendly fires?), among them many civilians, and injuries are in the hundreds. According to United Nations estimates, 59 Palestinians have been killed today, including 39 civilians, among them three women and five minors, including an infant. Let me stress that there are many conflicting reports on the numbers of casualties, and these figures are not confirmed (sure if your source is the Israeli government! doncha think?). Additionally, there has been heavy property damage. (no worries, Abbas promissed peggy would fix it!)

Israeli land incursions are taking place near Jabalya and the northern Gaza Strip. Two Israeli soldiers are reported to have been killed in the fighting. The IDF reports that it destroyed a truck carrying 160 rockets. (Katyusha ones too?)

United Nations sources report at least four incidents of Israeli fire against ambulances and medical personnel. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has issued a call for diesel, in order to operate its ambulances. All United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) schools have been closed, and many families are trapped inside their houses by the violence, unable to obtain medical aid or reach safety. I call on Israel to facilitate full access to hospitals and medical centres for the injured.

At the outset of this escalation, I have made clear publicly my deep concern, and I have been diplomatically engaged to press for a calming of the violence. I have spoken today to Palestinian President Abbas, Israeli Foreign Minister Livni and League of Arab States Secretary-General Moussa. (the ones who sealed the deal against Hamas? but are concerned with the consequences?) United Nations agencies on the ground, especially UNRWA, are continuing their efforts to assist people in grave distress. ( shu biddo yla7e2 la yla7e2!)

In light of these deeply disturbing developments (r u kidding me? i guess it could have been worse according to Matan!), I would like to make the following clear:

I condemn Palestinian rocket attacks and call for the immediate cessation of such acts of terrorism, (killing one and injuring 5) which serve no purpose, endanger Israeli civilians and bring misery to the Palestinian people. I call for an end to these attacks. (HOLY COW!! MAN HOW MUCH CORRUPTION IS THERE IN YOUR ORGANISATION)

While recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force (i dont understand how you give excuse for killing in the name of security, i dont think this is what human rights call for) that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children. I call on Israel to cease such attacks. Israel must fully comply with international humanitarian law and exercise the utmost restraint. Incidents in which civilians have been killed or injured must be investigated and accountability must be ensured.

I am deeply concerned at the possibility of the violence escalating. I have offered our strong support for all efforts to bring about an end to the violence and a period of calm. I call on all parties to step back from the brink of even deeper and more deadly clashes.

I am also extremely concerned at the impact of these developments on the negotiation process. (are you questioning your pet Abbas if he feels anything for what have the friendly fires of Israeli did to wipe Hamas?) I call on all members of the international community, important stakeholders and Security Council members to exercise their influence on the parties to stop the violence and to allow humanitarian relief. All parties should rededicate their commitment to the peace process.

is there anything in this world that cannot be bought?? i hope Abbas enjoys his 7.7 billion promises which i doubt he will ever get hands on.