New Zealand seeks UN resolution on Israel-Palestine

UN Security Council member New Zealand is working on a draft resolution to revive long-stalled peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

France has begun consultations on a text that would outline the parameters of an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, but Ambassador Jim McLay said Tuesday that New Zealand's friendship with Israel and the Palestinians means it could make a contribution.

"New Zealand wants this Security Council to focus on a practical outcome -- and we have been working on a text that might serve the purpose of getting negotiations started," said McLay.

The ambassador emphasized that the timing was right to move forward, after the Israeli elections and before the United States becomes embroiled in the campaign for the presidency in 2016.

McLay added that New Zealand was open to supporting the French initiative "if it has a chance of succeeding," but he made clear that action was needed soon.

The move from New Zealand, which was elected as one of the 10 non-permanent members last year, reflected growing impatience within the council over the failure to agree on a UN approach for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The Security Council in December rejected a resolution that would have set a two-year timetable to achieve an Israeli-Palestinian settlement paving the way to a Palestinian state.

The United States voted against the resolution, but did not resort to its veto power after the measure failed to garner the required nine votes for adoption.

Australia also voted against the resolution, while Britain, Lithuania, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Korea abstained following a round of telephone calls from US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Source: AFP