The United States and Israel are promoting an unprecedented U.N. resolution condemning Hamas, the terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip, Channel 12 reported Tuesday.
The resolution, a joint move by Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon and outgoing U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley, excoriates Hamas' terrorist activities, its rocket fire on Israel, its incitement to violence, and its use of civilian resources for military purposes, predominately its sprawling grid of terror tunnels.
The General Assembly is expected to vote on the resolution on Friday or possibly Monday.
If adopted, this would be the first time the General Assembly condemns Hamas, which usurped control of Gaza from the Western-backed government of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in a military coup in 2007.
French news agency AFP said the U.S. was lobbying its European allies to back the proposal.
"The U.S. is negotiating the language with the EU. For us, it's very symbolic to have this resolution presented with the support of the EU," Danon said Tuesday.
The draft resolution "condemns Hamas for repeatedly firing rockets into Israel and for inciting violence" and "demands that Hamas and other militant actors cease all provocative actions and violent activity," including the arson campaign, and calls for the cessation of all forms of violence against medical and humanitarian personnel, stressing the importance of respecting the neutrality of U.N. personnel deployed in the coastal enclave.
It also states that the General Assembly "reaffirms its support for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace between Israelis and Palestinians, based on international law."
In June, Haley sought to amend an Arab-backed resolution condemning Israel for the violence in Gaza, but failed to win the required two-thirds of the votes in the assembly.
"We are on the brink of a historic move, built via the full cooperation of the United States and Israel," Danon said. "Instead of stammering and standing on the sidelines, the U.N. must take a clear and firm stand against Hamas and the terror emanating from the Gaza Strip."
"The world must understand that there is no such thing as 'two sides to the conflict' – there's a terrorist organization that targets civilians and a state that protects its citizens.
"Ambassador Haley and I are working together to mobilize the world's ambassadors to support this common and important goal."
