The solidarity of EU countries at the United Nations has suffered a setback with the latest series of General Assembly votes on the Middle East. Different approaches to the wording of a resolution on the Palestinian issue resulted in divergent stances when the vote was taken.
Eleven EU member-states, including Ireland, voted in favour of a resolution on "The Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine" whereas Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK abstained.
The resolution was passed by 131 votes in favour to six against, with 20 abstentions. The US, Israel and the Pacific nations of Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and Tuvalu cast the No votes.
UN sources said Monday's vote was preceded by several weeks of negotiations between the EU countries and Palestinian representatives.
Although the UK wanted a stronger expression of Palestinian responsibilities, most other EU members, including Ireland, "took the view that the Palestinians, in all the circumstances, were being extremely moderate".
The break came over an implicit reference to the targeted assassinations of Palestinian militants by Israeli forces in the preamble that is customary in UN resolutions. The Palestinians had accepted the inclusion of a paragraph on the protection of civilians, but there was disagreement on the final text, which read as follows: "Emphasising the importance of the safety and well-being of all civilians in the whole Middle East region, the need to avoid the illegal use of force and the need to prevent all indiscriminate acts of terror and violence directed against civilians."
UN sources said the UK did not agree with including the reference to "the illegal use of force".
The EU generally takes a common position on issues at the UN and there are concerns over the breakdown of community solidarity on this occasion.
Apart from being a significant bloc in itself, with 15 votes, the EU influences the way other countries vote. The central and east European countries seeking community membership generally take their lead from the EU as do some of the Latin American states.
Explaining his country's abstention, Mr Alistair Harrison told the General Assembly that, although the UK supported the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, both sides must make difficult decisions in the cause of peace, and both had responsibilities and obligations. The resolution was clear about the responsibility on the Israeli side but it did not reflect the belief that the Palestinian side must prevent preventing violence against Israeli civilians, including suicide bombings.
Mr Harrison said that, at a time of concern about the protection of civilians, the General Assembly had missed an opportunity to register its reactions with balanced language condemning violence against civilians.
Reuters reports from Geneva:
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, yesterday urged the Palestinian Authority to investigate last weekend's "terrorist attacks" on Israeli civilians and bring those behind them to justice.
She condemned the suicide bombings in Jerusalem and Haifa, saying they violated basic freedoms, including a right to life.
"I urge the Palestinian Authority to take immediate steps to investigate these heinous crimes and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice," Mrs Robinson said.
"Acts like this only fuel hatred and polarisation. They will not lead to a resolution of the conflict."
Mrs Robinson also urged Israeli authorities to exercise "utmost restraint in conformity with international law".