Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GENEVA1127
2008-12-29 15:17:00
CONFIDENTIAL
US Mission Geneva
Cable title:  

GENEVA REACTIONS TO EVENTS IN GAZA

Tags:  PHUM PREL UNHRC IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO6102
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHGV #1127 3641517
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 291517Z DEC 08 ZDK
FM USMISSION GENEVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7815
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHZJ/HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L GENEVA 001127 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC IS
SUBJECT: GENEVA REACTIONS TO EVENTS IN GAZA

REF: GENEVA 1126

Classified By: CDA Mark C. Storella for reasons 1,4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L GENEVA 001127

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/29/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC IS
SUBJECT: GENEVA REACTIONS TO EVENTS IN GAZA

REF: GENEVA 1126

Classified By: CDA Mark C. Storella for reasons 1,4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: While some Geneva diplomats have begun to
discuss the possibility of calling a special session of the
UN Human Rights Council on the situation in Gaza, it
currently seems likely that there will not be any session
before next week at the earliest. Both Palestinian and
Egyptian representatives indicate they are awaiting results
of the proposed December 31 Cairo Arab League ministerial
before determining next steps in Geneva. UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights Pillay issued a statement
December 28 "condemning the rocket attacks by Hamas" and
"strongly condemn(ing) Israel's disproportionate use of
force." RefTel addresses activities of Geneva-based
humanitarian organizations in Gaza. End Summary.


2. (C) Palestinian observer mission Charge Zuhairi told CDA
that his mission's priority is to press for the
re-establishment of a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and
for provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza residents. He has
sent letters to the International Commission of the Red Cross
(ICRC),the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent (IFRC) and the World Health Organization (WHO)
asking for emergency humanitarian assistance. He also
contacted the president of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC)
and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
(OHCHR) to urge their support for a halt in Israeli military
operations and for humanitarian access. Zuhairi urged
caution and believed that no decision should be taken about
possible action in the Human Rights Council before the
results of the proposed December 31 Cairo meeting are known.
Egyptian DCM Gamaleldin also pointed to the Cairo meeting as
the next step, while noting that OIC and Arab Group PermReps
are meeting later December 29 to hear a report from the
Palestinian representatives here.


3. (C) Israeli PermRep Ronny Yaar told us he believed there
would be no action by the UN HRC this week, but that there
might be a call for a special session next week, depending on
the development of events on the ground. He said he planned
to respond to High Commissioner Pillay's statement with a
public letter in which he would point out that the High
Commissioner failed to comment earlier in response to Hamas'
rocketing of Israel. Charge noted Secretary Rice's call for
humanitarian assistance and urged Israeli cooperation with
humanitarian organizations. In a separate conversation, the
UK PermRep said he believed a UN HRC special session likely,
but not until next week.


4. (C) Comment: In addition to the lack of pressure from
the Palestinians and the Egyptians for UN HRC action, we note
that the UN is closed for the New Year holiday Wednesday,
December 31 and Thursday, January 1, and many missions are
closed this week. All this contributes to the likelihood
that no decision on action by the HRC will be taken until
after the New Year.
STORELLA