The Gaza tragedy continues despite the UN Security Council resolution. Now other proposals to stop the war are floated. A common element is enhancing control of the borders for smuggling of weapons. In this regard there have been some references in Jordanian media to a Dutch-Danish Rafah Border surveillance proposal which I for easy reference have reproduced below. Apart from the ongoing political discussions in parliament, Danish media and demonstrations the humanitarian situation of Palestinians in Gaza and the attack on emergency aid has also lead to other official reactions.
“Press release
Gaza: Denmark and the Netherlands offer police personnel to surveillance of the Gaza-Egyptian border
The Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Per Stig Møller, has today (the 7th of January) along with his Dutch colleague proposed that the EU should contribute to control and monitoring of the border between Egypt and Gaza.
The Danish Foreign Minister has today along with his Dutch colleague, Mr. Maxime Verhagen proposed to the Czech EU-presidency and the other EU-countries that the EU offers the Egyptian and Palestinian authorities a significant contribution of police personnel to secure an efficient control and monitoring of the border between Egypt and Gaza. That would be one element in the international society’s diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the conflict. Furthermore, it could help to create the conditions for a permanent and viable ceasefire in Gaza.
The Danish Foreign Minister, Mr. Per Stig Møller, states in that regard:
“The need for a ceasefire is extremely urgent. The terrible suffering of the civilian population in Gaza must be stopped, and the diplomacy must find a solution.
It is crucial that a ceasefire is permanent and viable and that it provides both the Israeli and the Palestinian people with the necessary security. We think that the Danish-Dutch proposal can contribute towards that. One of the main problems has been that Gaza has by and large been closed since the violent takeover of Hamas in 2007, and that weapons have been smuggled to Hamas. If we can effectively counter that and open the border, so humanitarian aid and goods can enter, much will be won for both Israel and the Palestinian people.
The EU has earlier with success contributed to a functional Rafah-border between Egypt and Gaza. The intention of our proposal today is to build upon that mission. Of course in cooperation with the parties in the region. Denmark stands ready to contribute to such a mission on the border between Egypt and Gaza”.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Copenhagen. January 7, 2009″
“Press Release
Denmark donates DKK 20 million to the victims of the hostilities in Gaza
Denmark is giving DKK 20 million to the victims of the hostilities in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in the region has worsened greatly as a result of the past 10 days of hostilities and there is an urgent need for aid.
The Danish Minister for Development Cooperation, Ms. Ulla Tørnæs, states:
“The dramatic escalation of the conflict in Gaza has seriously aggravated the already fragile humanitarian situation in the region. I have therefore decided that Denmark is to provide assistance amounting to DKK 20 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). This contribution will help to cover the most urgent needs for food, shelter and financial help in the coming months.
“It is deeply worrying that the fighting in Gaza is affecting civilians to such a large extent when they have nowhere else to go. There are many women and children among the dead and wounded. That is totally unacceptable.
“The fighting has led to a serious lack of food, water, medicine and other health services and has delayed the distribution of emergency aid as well as making it more difficult. It is also difficult and dangerous for emergency aid workers to move around the region. It is therefore crucial that Israel helps to guarantee humanitarian access for the emergency aid.”
The UNRWA has been given a special mandate by the UN General Assembly to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees. The organisation was established in 1948 and its basic services are education, health and social services. In 2008 Denmark donated DKK 90 million to UNRWA, making it the organisation’s ninth largest donor. Denmark also provides humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees via the Danish Red Cross and DanChurchAid.
Since 1994 Denmark has provided substantial aid to Gaza and the West Bank with a view to establishing the foundations for a future Palestinian state. Each year Denmark contributes a total of some DKK 200 million in humanitarian and development aid to Gaza and the West Bank.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Copenhagen. January 5, 2009″
“Press Release
Danish Minister for Development: Unacceptable attacks on emergency aid workers
As a reaction to the attack on a UNRWA truck and the subsequent decision of UNRWA until further notice to cease the delivery of emergency aid to Gaza, the Danish Minister for Development, Mrs. Ulla Tørnæs has announced that:
“It is completely unacceptable to attack emergency aid, and I strongly condemn today’s assault on an aid worker from UNRWA. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is critical, and it is vital that emergency aid to the population of Gaza can get through and be distributed. Israel must do everything in its power to ensure that the emergency aid deliverances can be recommenced. This will be emphasised, when the Israeli Ambassador will meet in the Foreign Ministry tomorrow (Friday the 9th)”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Copenhagen. January 8, 2009″
January 12, 2009 at 07:19
Sir, what’s your take on the double standard that which Israel is being treated with, when it is allowed to disregard several UN resolutions like the last one (1860) asking for a ceasefire while other countries like Iraq were forced to cmply with UN resolutions?
Your opinion is appreciated. Thank you
January 12, 2009 at 23:20
This is generally speaking one of the big paradoxes with the present UN. The international community might agree on a resolution, but there is no automatic system in place to actually enforce a decision. So in the end it first and foremost boils down to the political will of the concerned parties to abide by the resolution – which in this case both rejected right away – or in the next instance to the political will of (some of) the members of the UNSC to take action and assure respect of the UN decision. It is definitely a hot topic for an upcoming UN-reform.
As regards my opinion – any decision (resolution) from the UNSC should be respected by any party that decision is addressed to – no matter who they are.
January 13, 2009 at 07:58
“which in this case both rejected right away – or in the next instance to the political will of (some of) the members of the UNSC to take action and assure respect of the UN decision. It is definitely a hot topic for an upcoming UN-reform.
As regards my opinion – any decision (resolution) from the UNSC should be respected by any party that decision is addressed to – no matter who they are.”
you got your facts wrong ,there are no parties to this massacre, there is only one party to this war crimes which the Zionist terrorist entity ,sir let me remind you, Palestinians are stateless and they denied membership like your country in the UN ,
Palestinians have all the right to resist the 60 plus years of brutal occupation that have resulted in theft of our country because of the European complicity and silence of crimes that have perpetuated against our people for way too long ,
Israeli terrorists are allowed to arm and be financed by the pathetic European and the American and now your main concern is the smuggle of weapons ,
Why are we denied Resistance while all people that lived under occupation have the right to resist.why don’t talk about the Israeli terrorist weapons that been supplied by the west?
January 13, 2009 at 09:43
I just want to know when the west is going to stop this on going crimes and atrocities against the Palestinians? we are sick and tired of your pontification about “human rights” and “liberty”???while our people are facing one of the most terrorist State in the world
January 20, 2009 at 01:28
let me tell you Mr ambassador Smuggling is part of our world not you or your government or the pathetic European countries is going to stop it