With Palestine Death Count Over 100, Non Aligned Movement Issues Communique, UN Security Council Silent

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, July 11, more here -- With the UN Security Council having taken no action on Palestine and Israel, the day after an "urgent" meeting featuring each state's ambassador, on July 11 the Non Aligned Movement issued a statement, below:

Communiqué of the Non-Aligned Movement calling for an end to the Israeli military Aggression against the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip, 11 July 2014

The Members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) strongly condemn the ongoing military aggression by Israel, the occupying Power, against the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, which has caused high civilian casualties, particularly in the Gaza Strip, where more than 100 Palestinians, including many children, women and elderly persons, have been killed by the Israeli occupying forces, and more than 700 civilians have been injured.

The Movement condemns this wanton killing and injury of innocent Palestinian civilians, including the killing of many families in their entirety, and condemns the destruction of civilian properties, which has displaced more than 900 people, and of vital infrastructure, including water and sanitation networks, compounding the humanitarian suffering of the 1.8 million Palestinians in Gaza, who have been enduring massive collective punishment under Israel’s inhumane blockade. The NAM expresses grave concern about the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and calls for the provision of emergency humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of the civilian population.

The NAM demands an immediate end to Israel’s aggression against the Palestinian people, and calls upon the international community, in particular the United Nations Security Council, to exert all efforts to bring a halt to the Israeli military operations and to ensure an immediate ceasefire, in line with the November 2012 ceasefire. NAM also calls for serious efforts to ensure full respect for international humanitarian law and ensure protection for the Palestinian civilian population.

NAM stresses that a firm message must be conveyed to Israel, the occupying Power, to cease its military attacks against the Palestinian civilian population in the Gaza Strip and to cease its collective punishment and blockade.  Moreover, Israel must be called upon to cease its military raids and all other illegal policies and grave breaches in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and must be demanded to abide forthwith by all of its obligations under international law, particularly the 4th Geneva Convention, and by all relevant United Nations resolutions.

In specific, NAM stresses the urgent need for the Security Council to uphold its Charter duties and to act immediately to promote a ceasefire, contribute to de-escalation of the crisis situation on the ground, and salvage the prospects for realizing a just and lasting peace and security. The Movement Members express deep disappointment in the failure of the Security Council to take the necessary action, including following the emergency meeting held yesterday, 10 July 2014, and reiterate the call to the Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities to bring an end to the unlawful Israeli aggression, without conditions and without delay, with an immediate viewing to saving and protecting innocent civilian lives and averting the further destabilization of the situation. NAM expresses support for the draft resolution endorsed by the Arab Group and supports Jordan’s efforts in the Security Council, and calls on the Members of the NAM Caucus of the Security Council to act with urgency in this regard.

At this time of crisis, the Members of the Movement convey their deepest condolences and sympathy to the Palestinian people and their leadership for the tragic loss of life and devastation suffered in the recent period, and reaffirm their unwavering support and solidarity to the Palestinian people and their resilient efforts to realize their inalienable rights and legitimate national aspirations for freedom, justice and peace.

Released by The Permanent Mission of
 the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

 On July 10 in the UN Security Council, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that “eighty-eight Palestinians, many of them civilians, are reported to have been killed, and 339 injured.”

  Afterward at the Security Council stakeout but off-camera, Palestine's Riyad Manour said the figure is over 90, in the last three days.

  Now on July 11, the number is over 100.

  Inside the Council on July 10, Israel's Ron Prosor told Ban that while he had given his speech, five rockets had been fired at Israel (Prosor played a rocket warning siren on his phone, to make his point.) At the stakeout, on-camera, Prosor raised the number of rockets to six.

  While Mansour spoke on camera, the stakeout was nearly full with journalists. But when Prosor spoke there were far fewer -- one of whom told Inner City Press, “This is a question for FUNCA,” the Free UN Coalition for Access. Again Prosor played the rocket siren warning, and used the line “From Abuja to Falluja.”

  Inner City Press asked Prosor about those who say Hamas is not formally part of the unity government; he replied, “Hamas is Hamas.”

  On Palestine joining or complaining to the International Criminal Court, Inner City Press' question which Ban Ki-moon dodged on July 9, Prosor did not answer. Yet.

  Security Council members did not speak in the public session; they went behind closed doors. Will they emerge with a press statement? Elements to the press? Sound effects? Watch this site.