U.N. Assembly Assails Israeli Policies in Occupied Territories

The U.N. General Assembly on Thursday condemned Israel’s policies and practices in the occupied territories and asked the Security Council to consider measures to protect Palestinian civilians there.

The resolution was approved 129 to 2 with one abstention. The United States joined Israel in voting against the measure.

The Assembly stressed the “urgent need” to expedite the convening of an international peace conference on the Middle East and asked Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar to submit periodic reports on developments in the occupied territories.

Israel has opposed such an international conference.

The Assembly acted after a two-day debate on the subject initiated by Arab states amid a 17-month uprising in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Before casting his first vote in the Assembly since he became the Bush Administration’s chief delegate to the United Nations, Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering criticized the language of the resolution.

“It is counterproductive and only succeeds in driving the parties further apart at a time when efforts should be focused on bringing them together,” he said.

In debate on the measure, Japan criticized Israeli policy in the occupied territories, saying it is time its “futility” is recognized in face of the Palestinian uprising.

Ambassador Makoto Taniguchi said Tokyo is seriously concerned “over the massive use of force by Israeli authorities against Palestinian civilians.”

“The repressive measures which the Israeli government continues to take against the Palestinian people run counter to the peace momentum that is being developed in the Middle East, “ Taniguchi declared.

“It is time that Israel recognized the gravity of the situation and the futility of its policies.”

The Japanese delegate said the Palestine Liberation Organization represents the Palestinians and that it is essential that Israel and the PLO recognize each other’s position and that the PLO participate in a regional peace process.

Meanwhile, PLO leader Yasser Arafat held a 90-minute meeting in Geneva with Perez de Cuellar and said the PLO planned to apply for full membership in all specialized U.N. agencies, a move the United States and Israel oppose.

Arafat told reporters that the PLO, which now has observer status in the world body, will begin its campaign for full membership with a bid to join the World Health Organization.