By KUNA
United Nations : Democratic US Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama reportedly urged US envoy to UN Zalmay Khalilzad in a letter to make sure the Security Council issue no statement on the situation in Gaza without fully condemning the Hamas rocket attacks on southern Israel.
The move is meant to win the Jewish votes prior to the upcoming elections in Florida.
The Israeli newspaper Haaretz quoted the letter on its website saying “I urge you to ensure that the Security Council issue no statement and pass no resolution on this matter that does not fully condemn the rocket assault Hamas has been conducting on civilians in southern Israel”.
“All of us are concerned about the impact of closed border crossings on Palestinian families. However, we have to understand why Israel is forced to do this … Israel has the right to respond while seeking to minimize any impact on civilians,” the letter said.
It added the council “should clearly and unequivocally condemn the rocket attacks” If it cannot bring itself to make these common sense points, I urge you to ensure that it does not speak al all.
The US mission confirmed that the letter is authentic.
The council will meet again tomorrow Thursday awaiting the US position on the draft statement on Gaza.