Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- The U.N. Security Council late Thursday overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza.
Fourteen of the council's 15 members voted in favor of the resolution, with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice abstaining from the vote on behalf of the United States.
The resolution expresses "grave concern" about the growing humanitarian crisis and heavy civilian casualties in Gaza, as well as civilian deaths in Israel from Hamas rocket fire.
Roughly 765 Palestinians and 13 Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have been killed since Israel began its military assault on Gaza on December 27.
Rice applauded the resolution's goals, but said the United States prefers to wait for results of ongoing, Egyptian-brokered talks in Cairo, Egypt, with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
She said the United States supported the text, goals and objectives of the resolution, but that the United States feels it's important to see the terms of any cease-fire hammered out in Egypt.
Wrangling over the resolution centered on wording. Arab countries generally pushed for language demanding Israel cease its attacks, while Western diplomats wanted more neutral language.
"Security for the people of Gaza, too. Not security for Israel alone," Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa, of Egypt, said before the vote as reporters were asking diplomats about the resolution
I'll take odds on Hamas refusing to 'ceasefire' no matter what the UN says.
its just more stupidity from the UNIt's not clear such a cease fire is possible. the resolution calls for an "immediate, durable and fully respected cease fire" but does not specify what it would take to make such a cease fire durable or what "fully respected" would mean. Moreover, according to the CNN story, the resolution is not binding.
"A resolution from the council, particularly one that passes with such large support, can put international pressure on parties involved in a conflict. But they are in no way binding, and many in the past have been ignored by warring factions."
If CNN is correct about the resolution being non binding, then it essentially expresses support for a durable cease fire and for the negotiations going on in Egypt but leaves it up to Israel and Hamas to decide whether or not they are ready to end the fighting. I suspect the US abstained to show support for some "moderate" Arab leaders who are under great pressure at home to at least appear they are doing something to end the Israeli operation.
In other news, the sun rose today.
A non-binding UN resolution is basically a suggestion such as "Uh, hey guys, can you stop fighting? We think you should stop fighting."
Hamas, which is not a government recognized by the UN, doesn't have abide by jack squat and since the US abstained, Israel doesn't have to do anything. How much of our taxpayer dollars go towards the UN? And why in the world is that building on Manhattan waterfront property? I can see it from my apartment every morning along with the rest of the manhattan and i tell ya', I'd love to live at that location... being East of the FDR gives you a REALLY nice view.
I just wonder how much your racist cocky ass would be scared if America no longer protected Israel like a mother who always defends her son no matter what.
Looks like you had a typo there, but anyway, Israel did fine for 20 years without Uncle sam, and they would do fine if he left them again, probaly would help them in the long run also.
Which will happen the minute we leave Iraq and Afghanistan since we have two footholds in the Middle East other then Israel and no longer need Israel. In the past, the U.S would of voted against such a resolution; binding or non binding.
Looks like you had a typo there, but anyway, Israel did fine for 20 years without Uncle sam, and they would do fine if he left them again, probaly would help them in the long run also.
Which will happen the minute we leave Iraq and Afghanistan since we have two footholds in the Middle East other then Israel and no longer need Israel. In the past, the U.S would of voted against such a resolution; binding or non binding.
Which typo? I may of missed it.
And Israel got by because of aid from a bunch of other countries.
Without the U.S's political and international influence; Israel would be cooked faster then an egg on a hot summer day sidewalk.
Why do you think the US supports Israel?
Ever heard of the term "We share a common enemy."
You left out a comma and it makes it a little hard to understand, but no matter.Which typo? I may of missed it.
And Israel got by because of aid from a bunch of other countries.
Without the U.S's political and international influence; Israel would be cooked faster then an egg on a hot summer day sidewalk.
i guess Robert doesnt know that a lot of the R&D done for future weapons systems for the US are done by IsraelisYou left out a comma and it makes it a little hard to understand, but no matter.
What are these other countries?
Israel bought weapons from France, but the French often blocked sales if they thought it would give them leverage, that is one of teh reasons Israel began it's own arms industries.
But these weapons wern't free, they paid for them.
i guess Robert doesnt know that a lot of the R&D done for future weapons systems for the US are done by Israelis
also, Intel and other high tech firms
Israel doesnt need our help as much anymore and we should cut back some of the funding
as we should cut off all funding for countries that stab us in the back
Ever hear of the term "foothold in the Middle East."
Origin Type Versions In service[1] 
Notes Northrop F-5E/F Tiger II 
United States fighter trainer F-5E F-5F 41 United States attack helicopter AH-1F AH-1S 31 United States fighter trainer F-16A F-16B 28 4 
United Kingdom trainer T-67M-260 16 United States fighter MLU models 14 
Spain trainer C-101CC 13 
European Union transport helicopter AS 532M 10 
Germany utility helicopter EC-635 9 United States fighter F-16AM/F-16BM MLU 8 United States scout helicopter MD 500D 8 United States tactical transport C-130H 4 United States trainer F-16B Block 20MLU 3 Spain tactical transport CN-295 2 
France trainer fighter fighter Mirage F1B Mirage F1C Mirage F1E 2 17 17 United States trainer SA 2-37A 2 France utility TB 20 Trinidad 2
Jordan has consistently followed a pro-Western foreign policy and traditionally has had close relations with the United States and the United Kingdom. These relations were damaged by Jordan's neutrality and maintaining relations with Iraq during the first Gulf War. Jordan has a well earned reputation for usually following a pragmatic and non-confrontational foreign policy, leading to fair relations with its neighbours.
King Abdullah II on a visit to The Pentagon.Following the Gulf war, Jordan largely restored its relations with Western countries through its participation in the Southwest Asia peace process and enforcement of UN sanctions against Iraq. Relations between Jordan and the Gulf countries improved substantially after King Hussein's death. Following the fall of the Iraqi regime, Jordan has played a pivotal role in supporting the restoration of stability and security to Iraq. The Government of Jordan signed a memorandum of understanding with the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq to facilitate the training of up to 30,000 Iraqi police cadets at a Jordanian facility.
Which typo? I may of missed it.
And Israel got by because of aid from a bunch of other countries.
Without the U.S's political and international influence; Israel would be cooked faster then an egg on a hot summer day sidewalk.
So you support the murder of 6 million Jews? Figures, I know someone else that actually accomplished that feat. How do you feel being in HIS company?
