Why didn’t the government want the creation of a mechanism for the international protection of civilians in Palestine?

 

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 14 June 2018, Nicosia

The Anastasiades government proceeded yesterday to an unprecedented action for Cyprus’ foreign policy. During the vote in the UN General Assembly, Cyprus chose to abstain from the Resolution calling for a mechanism for the international protection of Palestinian civilians in the occupied Palestinian territories, a resolution which also denounces the Israeli army’s recent actions in blocked Gaza.

Contrary to our country’s stand which didn’t want the establishment of a mechanism for the protection of Palestinian civilians, the resolution was adopted by a large majority (120 for, 8 against and 45 abstentions). The stand taken by the Republic of Cyprus, as a result of the Anastasiades government’s choice, is shameful for our country.

The Anastasiades government’s insistence on being in line with the American government of Trump and the Israeli government of Netanyahu with regards the crucial issue of the Middle East leads to the disregard of the principles of International Law and international humanitarian law.

This stand is contrary to the longstanding principled position and Cyprus’ solidarity – indeed of all previous Cypriot governments – with the struggling Palestinian people. It is a stand of subordination to the policy of Trump’s Government on the Middle East. It is at the same time damaging to Cyprus, given that it does not protect the traditional relations of the Republic of Cyprus with the countries of the region and the Arab world.

 AKEL urges the President of the Republic and the Foreign Minister to give a answer as to why they are disturbed by the creation of a mechanism for the international protection of Palestinian civilians who are being murdered by the Israeli army.