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Israel introduces its resolution to the UN on protecting kids

Israel formally introduced a resolution calling for the protection of Israeli children victimized by terrorism, but the Palestinians urged a "no" vote, saying its real aim was to achieve "illegitimate political goals."

The resolution was the first submitted by Israel since 1976 and Ambassador Dan Gillerman said it will test the fairness of the UN General Assembly, which adopts about two dozen resolutions every year condemning Israel's actions against the Palestinians.

Last week, the assembly's committee dealing with social and humanitarian issues approved a resolution demanding that Israel ensure the protection of Palestinian children by a vote of 88-4, with 58 abstentions.

The committee was expected to take up the Israeli draft -- which mirrors some of the Palestinian text -- yesterday.

"We feel there should be no discrimination," Gillerman said Wednesday.

"We have been very favorably surprised by the support we've seen so far," he told reporters. "We've received a lot of understanding for this move, both in Europe and Latin America and other places which may surprise some of you when they emerge as supporters of this."

The US voted against the Palestinian resolution on children, but US Ambassador John Negroponte said Tuesday that Washington will vote for the Israeli resolution.

Introducing the resolution to the committee, Gillerman said it "seeks to ensure that Israeli children, alongside Palestinian children and the children of the world, receive equal and due protection, to which they are entitled."

He said Israel would have preferred to address the issue of children "on a universal basis only."
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