Gary Fitleberg, October 5, 2004

The United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Israel to halt its military operation in the Gaza Strip.

Eleven countries backed the resolution Tuesday in the Security Council, with Germany, Britain and Romania abstaining.

In explaining the U.S. veto, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, John Danforth, said the resolution "does not mention even one of the 450 Kassam rocket attacks launched against Israel over the past two years" nor does it acknowledge two Israeli children killed by one of those attacks last week.

Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Gillerman, said he was satisfied with the U.S. veto, but added that the resolution should never have been presented.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg