Israel to review its ties with the UN

[Hope]

Sorry to be a bearer of worrying news, but I saw this on the BBC website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38429385

Could this lead to a ramping up of the violence that has been thankfully much reduced overe the past months?

Would it be worth everyone writing to the Israeli ambassador where they live asking him/her to ask Netanyahu to reconsider, and to accept that this resolution is by no means "biased and shameful".

[Brownie]

If I thought it would do any good I would certainly write but I'm sure no notice would be taken of my letter, or any others.   

There are times when public opinion is considered but I can't see Israel doing so, too single minded.

The same subject came up on St Thad's today, in the Politics section, regarding New Zealand's involvement of all things, suggesting the NZ government was "anti-semitic".  This link was posted :

http://www.timesofisrael.com/choosing-not-to-veto-obama-lets-anti-settlement-resolution-pass-at-un-security-council/

a couple of different opinions followed, as one would expect.

It is worrying, Hope.

[Anchorman]

Both Israel and Palestine have equal rights to exist. Israel does not have the right to break international law, just as terrorism is no antidote to Israel's illegal behaviour.

[ad_orientem]

Israel thinks it can do whatever it wants. All it takes is for the West to withdraw its support. States come and go. Israel is no different.

[Brownie]

Well said.

[Nearly Sane]

So when is the UN vote against what Saudi is doing in Yemen?

[Brownie]

NS (Happy Christmas, it is nearly 8am on Christmas day, still feels like middle of night to me!  'bin up since 5), you make a very good point.  I did read up on what you said during night and it is another worrying thing, but, maybe for another thread? 
Hope you have a good time today and over the festive period.

[Hope]

So when is the UN vote against what Saudi is doing in Yemen?

Well, when will 3 (I think that is the mnimum number required to back a resolution) nations trigger one?  Perhaps that is another case for letter-writing - to our Prime Minister and the leaders of a few other Security Council nations.  But also a subject for a separate thread, as Brownie suggests.

I would suggest that Brownie's lack of belief in the power of letters is - perhaps - unrealistic.  Sadly, there are possibly too many who share that opinion, thus ensuring that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[Nearly Sane]

Well, when will 3 (I think that is the mnimum number required to back a resolution) nations trigger one?  Perhaps that is another case for letter-writing - to our Prime Minister and the leaders of a few other Security Council nations.  But also a subject for a separate thread, as Brownie suggests.

I would suggest that Brownie's lack of belief in the power of letters is - perhaps - unrealistic.  Sadly, there are possibly too many who share that opinion, thus ensuring that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

There is effectively a separate thread on this because of the cluster bombs issue but I think that there is a relationship here as it's about how the UN works.

[Hope]

I was struck by the Queen's comments in her speech today, to the effect that lots of little acts can have a massive impact; if all of us here were to write a ltter to Prime Minister Netanyahu, c/o the Israeli Embassy in London (or whichever capital city with such an Embassy, is nearest to us) asking him to realise that this is now a widespread opinion even amongst people who have been long-term supporters of Israel,  he might be forced to rethink.If we then asked 3 of our frinds to do the same, and asked them to ask 3 of their friends to do the same - and so on and so on - that would quickly escalate to a several hundred - if not several thousand - letters.

[Brownie]

Alright you've convinced me;  I thought about this, and discussed it, on Christmas day. Letters and signed petitions have been written in the past about other issues so, though I have a strong instinct that Israel will listen to no-one, I could be wrong and really hope you are right! So my letter is added.  I might suggest same on St Thad's where there is a thread on the subject.