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eastmed@amnesty.org –February 22, 2011– http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE15/015/2011/en– |
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AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC STATEMENT AI Index: MDE 15/015/2011 22 February 2011 US veto effectively gives Israel “green light” to expand illegal settlements As the UN’s most powerful body, the Security Council has the primary responsibility for dealing with threats to international peace and security caused by activities such as Israeli settlement expansion in the OPT. Amnesty International notes that the US veto of this resolution – which merely demanded that Israel fulfil its legal obligations and previous commitments to the Quartet and the US government – seriously undermines the US government’s claims to oppose Israel’s ongoing settlement construction. The Israeli government has indicated that it seeks to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, with further construction plans due to be considered in the coming months. Amnesty International is concerned that the Israeli government will interpret this US veto as a “green light” for these plans and conclude that it can escape meaningful international censure. Israel’s policy of settling its civilians on occupied land violates the Fourth Geneva Convention, and is considered a war crime according to the statute of the International Criminal Court. Israel’s settlement policy is also inherently discriminatory and results in continuing violations of the rights to adequate housing, water and livelihoods for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, as Amnesty International has repeatedly documented. ————————————- East Mediterranean Team — DISCLAIMER This email has been sent by Amnesty International Limited (a company registered in England and Wales limited by guarantee, number 01606776 with registered office at 1 Easton St, London WC1X 0DW). Internet communications are not secure and therefore Amnesty International does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message. If you are not the intended recipient you must not disclose or rely on the information in this e-mail. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Amnesty International unless specifically stated. Electronic communications including email might be monitored by Amnesty International for operational or business reasons. This message has been scanned for viruses by Postini. http://www.postini.com |

February 27, 2011 
































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