UN Security Council resolution had earlier condemned the killing of Palestinian civilians in the southern Gaza Strip refugee camp of Rafah. It also called on Israel to halt house demolitions, which are in violation of international humanitarian law. Reflecting its displeasure, the United States, allowed adoption of the U.N. resolution by abstaining rather than using its veto. President Bush urged restraint from the Jewish state, yet he said the United States could not back the resolution, because it did not take sufficient account of the “context of the military operation, which Israel says is aimed at stopping anti-Israeli attacks.” As a reaction to the resolution, Israel vowed to continue to do whatever it considers appropriate.
Details