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Brown bids to break deadlock on peace deal for Middle East
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent16.10.09
Gordon Brown held fresh talks today with Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu who is threatening to pull his country out of the Middle East peace process.
Mr Netanyahu was reportedly furious this week after Britain and other European countries warned they would abstain in a UN vote today in Geneva on a report condemning Israel for war crimes during the Gaza offensive in January.
The Israelis have said they will pull out of the peace process if the UN Human Rights Commission endorses judge Richard Goldstone's findings in Geneva.
Mr Netanyahu was said to have had a heated phone conversation with Mr Brown on Wednesday in which he was said to have strongly urged Britain to oppose the resolution.
The Prime Minister's spokesman said the two men talked again today, with the Israeli leader seeking again to persuade Britain to change its stance.
"I think the fact that there have been discussions this morning is the important point," the spokesman said.
He added that Mr Brown still hoped a text could be agreed which reflected the need for an investigation into whether Israel could have done more to avoid civilian casualties, for progress on opening the Gaza crossing, a freeze on any more settlements on the West Bank, and on Israel's right to self-defence.
But shadow foreign secretary William Hague urged the Government to oppose the resolution in its current form.
"Unless the draft resolution is redrafted to reflect the role that [the Palestinian militant group] Hamas played in starting the conflict, we would recommend that the British Government vote to reject the resolution," he said.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has stressed that all sides in the Middle East conflict violated international law and voiced concern that transgressors were left unpunished.
"A culture of impunity continues to prevail in the occupied territories and in Israel," she said.
Israel may also be accused of failing to co-operate with a UN-ordered fact-finding mission into the war in Gaza.
In the report circulated last month, the investigators, led by South African judge Richard Goldstone, accused Israel and Hamas of war crimes in Gaza - but were more critical of Israel overall.
Israel has rejected all the charges in the report.
Reader views (3)
Netanyahu is threatening to pull his country out of the Middle East peace process ?????
Israel isn't in the Middle East peace process. Netanyahu is refusing to comply with Israel's obligations under the 2003 Road Map - namely a settlement freeze - and is therefore not allowed to particpate in peace talks.
- Bernard, London
Mr Hague is a member of the lobby group 'Friends of Israel' so we must take with a pinch of salt anything that he says, For instance it was Irael who started the 'conflict'. Gazas is considered by Law to be occupied and it is an open prison and the population are not allowed freedom of movement or food and medicine. Mr Hague needs to read up on the facts. Israel dropped more bombs and missiles in one day than were aimed at Seredot in eight years. Serdot is occupied Palestine land the residents there are illegal occupiers. This is a fact of Law.
- Des Egan, london UK
Have to agree with Navi Pillay, Israel has been unpunished for far too long probably the reason why they keep abusing Palestinians and illegaly occupying land.
Justice must be for all and no one should be above the law.
- Caroline, London
