B. Second Palestinian Intifada or Intifadat al-Aqsa: 2000-2004

On September 28, 2000, violent protests erupted on the Haram al Sharif, the most sacred Muslim Holy Site in Jerusalem, following a visit to the site by Likud leader Ariel Sharon.

Many observers of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict viewed these events as the logical outcome of the floundering peace process. The Sharm El- Sheikh Fact-Finding Commission—known as the “Mitchell Commission”— established at the Sharm el-Sheikh Conference (October 17, 2000) to determine the cause of the unrest found that Israel’s settlement activity in Palestinian territories was a root cause. The Israelis were, however, obviously happy with the report’s conclusion that Sharon’s visit to the Temple Mount was not the reason for the outbreak ofviolence, a conclusion the Palestinians were understandably not happy about. The Mitchell report was a carefully balanced document that more than dealing with the root causes of the problem tried to establish the premises for a return to negotiations. Indeed, the Mitchell report was later endorsed by both the Palestinians and the Sharon government, together with the Tenet plan, as the basis for a possible shift from violence to political negotiations.

The situation escalated on March 29, 2002, when Israel launched Operation Defensive Shield, sending its forces into the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to arrest terrorists, find and confiscate weapons, and destroy facilities where, according to Israeli intelligence, explosives were being manufactured. Simultaneously, Israeli troops occupied and surrounded the West Bank city of Ramallah and laid siege to Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat’s compound for five weeks with Arafat inside. In part, this was result of the growing belief that Arafat was shirking his role as partner in the peace process and not doing enough to stop Palestinian armed resistance groups from attacking Israeli civilians inside Israel.

After fighting broke out in Bethlehem on April 3, 2002, Israeli forces laid siege to the Church of the Nativity—built on the purported site of Jesus’ birth—with more than one hundred armed Palestinians inside. The siege lasted for five weeks, until a deal was brokered that allowed remaining fighters to be evacuated from the church unharmed and relocated to various European Union states and Cyprus. On April 4, Israeli forces reoccupied all but two of the major West Bank towns and, on April 17, Israeli forces reoccupied sections of the Gaza Strip, undoing much of the work of the peace process. After concluding operations, the government of Israel on June 16, 2002, authorized a plan to build a “Security Wall” running the full length of the West Bank at an estimated cost of $1m per kilometer.

Since that time, the Security Council and General Assembly have passed several resolutions condemning Israeli policies in the Occupied Territories, including extrajudicial execution, the construction ofJewish- only settlements, the use of force against civilians, and the construction of the wall inside the pre-1967 borders (the Green Line). International criticism of the wall was bolstered by the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion ofJuly 9, 2004, which found the wall in violation of international law.

Since the start of the Second Palestinian Intifada, at least 3,070 Palestinians and 940 Israelis have been killed. Approximately 2,778 Palestinians were killed by security forces in the West Bank and Gaza, including 557 who were under the age of eighteen, and 424 Israeli civilians were killed in Israel, including seventy-six under the age of eighteen. There have been 138 suicide bombings conducted by Palestinian terrorist groups against Israelis inside Israel and the Occupied Territories between September 29, 2000, and September 26, 2004.

Relevant documents may also be found in: Section 8, Status of the Palestinians; and Section 7, Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process.

Document 658: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1322, Condemning Acts of Violence, Especially the Excessive Use of Force against Palestinians (October 7, 2000) [S.C. Res. 1322, U.N. SCOR, 4205th mtg., U.N. Doc. S/RES/1322 (2000)]. The Security Council in Resolution 1322 deplores the provocation of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s visit to the Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem on September 28, 2000, and the subsequent violence, which resulted in the death of over eighty Palestinians and many other casualties. It reaffirms the need for full respect for the Holy Places of Jerusalem and condemns acts of violence, especially the excessive use of force against Palestinians.

Document 659: Mission Report on Israel's Violations of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied since 1967, Submitted by Mr. Giorgio Giacomelli, Special Rapporteur (October 17, 2000) [U.N. ESCOR, Comm. on Hum. Rts., 5th Special Sess., U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/S-5/3 (2000)]. In this report, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Giorgio Giacomelli, describes his mission to the region in October 2000. Giacomelli addresses the subject of military occupation and Israeli actions during the start of the Intifada from late September until October 17, 2000, in particular, the upsurge in the number of human rights violations.

Document 660: Commission on Human Rights Resolution S-5/1, Commission on Human Rights Report on Grave and Massive Violations of the Human Rights of the Palestinian People by Israel (October 19, 2000) [Res. S/5-1, Comm. for Hum. Rts., 6th Sess., Doc. S/5-1 (2000)]. In Resolution S-5/1, the Commission on Human Rights condemns Ariel Sharon’s provocative visit to Al-Haram al-Sharif on September 28, 2000, which they blame for triggering the events that followed. It expresses grave concern about the “widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights perpetrated by the Israeli occupying power” and decides to establish a human rights inquiry commission to gather and compile information on violations. It also requests the high commissioner for human rights to undertake an urgent visit to the Occupied Territories to evaluate violations.

Document 661: Israel's Response to the Report Submitted by the Special Rapporteur, Mr. Giacomeli (October 19, 2000) [U.N. ESCOR, Human Rts. Comm., Agenda Item 3, Annex, U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/S-5/4 (2000)]. In this official response to the report submitted by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Israel expresses concern about its content and perceived one­sidedness, calling much of it “a series of unsubstantiated allegations.” Israel further questions the wisdom of conducting a mission to the Occupied Territories when the Secretary-General was in the region attempting to resolve the crisis.

Document 662: Final Communique of the Extraordinary Arab Summit Conference, Cairo (October 22, 2000) [U.N. GAOR, 55th Sess., Agenda Items 40 and 41, Annex, U.N. Doc. A/55/513 (2000)]. The final communique of the Arab Summit Conference accuses Israel of having transformed the peace process into a war against the Palestinian people in which military force is used to blockade and isolate Palestinians and hold them hostage within the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Document 663: Excerpts from the Report of the Commission on Human Rights on Its Fifth Special Session, Administrative Implications of Commission on Human Rights Resolution S-5/1 (November 9, 2000) [U.N. ESCOR, Comm. on Hum. Rts., 5th Special Sess., U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/S-5/5/Add.1 (2000)]. In these excerpts from its report, the Commission on Human Rights dedicates itself to creating a commission of inquiry comprised of human rights investigators and forensic experts to investigate the situation in the Occupied Territories. It pledges the high commissioner for human rights will undertake a five-day mission to the Occupied Territories, as would the six special rapporteurs, the representative of the Secretary-General on internally displaced persons, and two members of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.

Document 664: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights on the Question of the Violation of Human Rights in the Occupied Arab Territories, Including Palestine (November 29, 2000) [U.N. ESCOR, Comm. on Hum. Rts., 57th Sess., U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/2001/114 (2000)]. Following her mission to the region in November 2000, Mary Robinson, the high commissioner for human rights, submitted this report detailing her visits to the Occupied Territories, Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. Robinson reports that the human rights situation in the Occupied Territories is bleak, with the civilian population feeling besieged by a stronger power that is prepared to use superior force against demonstrators. She details actions by Israeli military authorities that caused the death and serious injury of Palestinians, such as the use of live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, and tear gas. Robinson details the impact of the escalating violence on children, the medical situation, the destruction of property, the Jewish settlements, curfews, freedom of movement, the economic impact, and the humanitarian access inside the Occupied Territories.

Document 665: United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/131, Applicability of the Geneva Convention to the Occupied Palestinian Territory (December 8, 2000) [G.A. Res. 55/131, U.N. GAOR, U.N. Doc. A/RES/55/131 (2000)]. In Resolution 55/131, the General Assembly reaffirms the applicability of the Geneva Convention to the Occupied Territories, including Jerusalem, and demands that Israel accept its de jure applicability. It also notes the convening on July 15, 1999, of a Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Geneva Convention on measures to enforce the convention in the Occupied Territories and Jerusalem.

Document 666: United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/133, Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People in the Occupied Territory (December 8, 2000) [G.A. Res. 55/133, U.N. GAOR, 55th Sess., Agenda Item 85, U.N. Doc. A/RES/55/133 (2000)]. In Resolution 55/133, the General Assembly stresses the need for compliance with existing Israeli-Palestinian agreements and notes that the third phase of redeployment in the Gaza Strip and the Jericho area had not been implemented. It expresses its support for the summit held at Sharm el- Sheikh, Egypt, and its appreciation to countries that participated in the Temporary International Presence in Hebron for their positive contribution.

Document 667: Draft United Nations Security Council Resolution Calling for the Establishment of an International Protection Force for the Occupied Territories (December 18, 2000) [Draft Res., U.N. SCOR, U.N. Doc. S/2000/1171 (2000)]. The Security Council failed to adopt this draft resolution—sponsored by Bangladesh, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mali, Namibia and Tunisia—to establish a United Nations force of military and police observers in the Occupied Territories. Argentina, Canada, France, Netherlands, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, and the United States abstained from the vote. Representatives from several states indicated during the discussion that while an observer force may be useful at some stage, it was not timely in view of negotiations being resumed.

Document 668: Letter from the Chairperson of the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights to the Permanent Representative of Israel to the United Nations (May 11, 2001) [U.N. ESCOR, U.N. Doc. E/2001/77 (2001)]. In this letter, the chairperson of the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights informs the permanent representative of Israel to the United Nations that Israel’s international treaty obligations apply to territories under its jurisdiction and effective control, including Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza Strip. Further, the committee chairperson asserts that the Israeli view that jurisdiction was transferred to other parties is not valid because Israel is currently “besieging” these territories. The committee expresses its concern for the lack of protection for Palestinian civilians in these areas.

Document 669: Final Communique ofthe Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting ofthe Council of the League of Arab States Regarding the Palestinian Issue, the Arab Israeli Conflict, Cairo (December 20, 2001) [available at http://www.arableagueonline.org/arableague/ english/details_enjsp?art_id=675&level_id=219]. The Foreign Ministerial Council of the League of Arab States held an extraordinary meeting on December 20, 2001, at the request of the PNA, to discuss the deteriorating situation in the Occupied Territories. In its Final Communique, the council agrees to nine points of action, including: renewing its commitment to a just and comprehensive peace based on United Nations resolutions; condemning Israel’s decision to suspend contacts with the legitimate Palestinian leadership; and calling on the United States to implement the guidelines offered by Secretary of State Colin Powell regarding the framework for a peaceful settlement. Further, the council calls Israel’s attempt to link its assassination policy and its oppression of the Palestinian people to the events of September 11, 2001, as a ploy to mislead international public opinion.

Document 670: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1402, Calling for a Cease-Fire and an Israeli Withdrawal from Palestinian Cities (March 30, 2002) [S.C. Res. 1402, U.N. SCOR, 4506th mtg., U.N. Doc. S/RES/1402 (2002)]. In Resolution 1402, the Security Council expresses its grave concern at the further deterioration of the situation, including the recent suicide bombings in Israel and the military attack against Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat’s headquarters in Ramallah. It calls upon both parties to implement a meaningful cease-fire, Israel to withdraw its troops from Palestinian cities, including Ramallah, and the parties to implement the Tenet security work plan as a first step towards implementation of the Mitchell Committee recommendations. The Security Council also reiterates its demand for an immediate cessation of all acts of violence.

Document 671: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1403, Welcomingthe Mission of the U.S. Secretary of State to the Region (April 4, 2002) [U.N. SCOR, 4506th mtg., U.N. Doc. S/RES/1403 (2002)]. In Resolution 1403, the Security Council expresses its grave concern over the further deterioration of the situation and notes that Security Council Resolution 1402 was not implemented. It welcomes the mission of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to the region, as well as the efforts by others, including the United States, the Russian Federation, the European Union, and the United Nations Special Coordinator, to bring about a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East.

Document 672: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1405, Calling for the Lifting of Restrictions Imposed on the Operations of Humanitarian Organizations in the Occupied Territories (April 19, 2002) [S.C. Res. 1405, U.N. SCOR, 4506th mtg., U.N. Doc. S/ RES/1405 (2002)]. In Resolution 1405, the Security Council calls for the lifting of restrictions imposed on the operations of humanitarian organizations, including the ICRC and the UNRWA, in the Occupied Territories and in particular in Jenin. The Security Council emphasizes the urgency of access for medical and humanitarian organizations to the Palestinian civilian population. It also welcomes the initiative of the Secretary-General to develop accurate information regarding recent events in the Jenin refugee camp through a fact-finding team.

Document 673: United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/10, Requesting a Report on the Violence in Jenin (May 7, 2002) [G.A. Res. ES-10/10, U.N. GAOR, 17th plen. mtg, U.N. Doc. A/RES/ES-10/10 (2002)]. Gravely concerned at the reports of breaches of international humanitarian law committed in the Jenin refugee camp and other Palestinian cities by the Israeli forces, the General Assembly in Resolution ES-10/10 condemns the attacks against the Palestinian people and requests the Secretary-General to present a report on the recent events in Jenin and other Palestinian cities. It also demands that Israel cease all hindrances and obstacles to the work of humanitarian organizations and United Nations agencies in the Occupied Territories. Finally, it calls upon all concerned parties to redouble their efforts to assist in ending the current crisis and resuming negotiations towards a final settlement.

Document 674: Councilofthe European Union: Common Position ConcerningtheTemporary Reception by Member States of the European Union of Certain Palestinians (May 21, 2002) [2002 OJ. (L 138) 33-44]. In this text, the Council of the European Union decides that thirteen Palestinians that will be evacuated from the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem may be transferred abroad, ending Israel’s April 2002 siege. It agrees that while one Palestinian is to remain in the Republic of Cyprus, the other twelve

are to be received on a temporary basis and exclusively on humanitarian grounds by Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.

Document 675: Report of the Secretary-General Prepared Pursuant to General Assembly Resolution ES-10/10 on the Violence in Jenin (July 30, 2002) [U.N. GAOR, 10th Emergency Special Sess., Agenda Item 5, U.N. Doc. A/ES-10/186 (2002)]. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan prepared this report in fulfillment of General Assembly Resolution ES 10/10.⁴¹⁹ It details Israel’s incursions into the Palestinian cities ofJenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Nablus and their environs from March 29 to April 21, 2002. Annan observes that Israel justified the incursions as being necessary to destroy the infrastructure of Palestinian militant groups based in these cities that were conducting suicide bombings against Israeli civilians. Annan reports that the effects of the incursions on the Palestinian population were considerable, with the civilian population suffering under IDF-imposed curfews, internal and external closures, detention, and demolitions. Further, 497 Palestinians were killed and 1,447 injured during the violence. The Secretary-General concedes that it is difficult to determine how many civilians were among the Palestinian dead, given Israel’s contention that many had died while fighting against Israeli forces. In his concluding observations, the Secretary-General recognizes that his report is limited as it was prepared without the full cooperation of both parties or a visit to the area. He contends that the deteriorating situation demonstrates the urgent need for both parties to resume the peace process.

Document 676: United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/11, Demanding the Immediate Withdrawal of Israeli Forces from Palestinian Population Centers (September 10, 2002) [G.A. Res. ES-10/11, U.N. GAOR, 10th Emergency Special Sess., Agenda Item 5, U.N. Doc. A/RES/ES-10/11 (2002)]. In Resolution ES-10/11, the General Assembly, gravely concerned at the reoccupation of Palestinian cities, demands the immediate cessation of Israel’s military incursions and all acts of violence, terror, provocation, incitement, and destruction. It demands the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from Palestinian population centers to a return to positions held prior to September 2000 and calls for urgently needed assistance and service to alleviate the dire humanitarian situation facing the Palestinian people.

Document 677: Fatah-Tanzim Statement: A Declaration to the Peaceful and Progressive People of Israel and the World (September 10, 2002) [ available at http://archives. cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/09/10/fatah.text/]. In this statement to the “the Peaceful and Progressive People of Israel and the World,” Fatah-Tanzim (a loosely organized Fatah militia) argues for the right of Palestinians to resist Israeli occupation and restates the Palestinians’ nationalistic goals. The group calls for an immediate return to negotiations to resolve the Palestinian problem in accordance with international norms.

Document 678: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1435, Condemning Terrorist Acts of Both Sides and SupportingtheEfforts of the Quartet (September 24, 2002) [S.C. Res. 1435, U.N. SCOR, 4614th mtg., U.N. Doc. A/RES/1435 (2002)]. In Resolution 1435, the Security Council reiterates its demand for the complete cessation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement, and destruction. It demands that Israel immediately cease measures in and around Ramallah

including the destruction of Palestinian civilian and security infrastructures and calls upon the Palestinian Authority to ensure that those responsible for terrorist acts are brought to justice. Finally, the Security Council expresses its full support for the efforts of the Quartet and calls upon all parties to cooperate with these efforts.

Document 679: United Nations Report of the Secretary-General to the Security Council on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine (November 26, 2002) [U.N. Doc. A/57/621-S/2002/1268]. The Secretary-General reports on the events of 2002 in regard to the situation in Israel and the Occupied Territories. Most notably, it addresses the Jenin Conflict and the challenges that peace process faces going forward.

Document 680: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1456, Adopting a Declaration on the Issue of Combating Terrorism (January 20, 2003) [S.C. Res. 1456, U.N. SCOR, 4688th mtg., U.N. Doc. S/RES/1456 (2003)]. Following a high-level meeting, the Security Council adopted this declaration, reaffirming that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation. It calls for all states to take urgent action to prevent and suppress support for terrorism and to become party to all relevant international conventions and protocols relating to terrorism.

Document 681: Statement by United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan Urging Israel to Reconsider Expulsion Decision (September 12, 2003) [U.N. Press Release, U.N. Dep’t of Public Info., U.N. Doc. SG/SM/8868 (2003)]. After the Israeli security cabinet passed a decision to expel Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat from the Occupied Territories, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued this statement strongly urging the Israeli Government to reconsider.

Document 682: U.S.-Vetoed Security Council Draft Resolution Demanding that Israel Desist from Deporting Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat (September 16, 2003) [S.C. Draft Res., U.N. SCOR, 4828th mtg., U.N. Doc. S/2003/891 (2003)]. The Security Council failed to adopt this draft resolution demanding that Israel desist from any act of deportation and cease any threat to the safety of the elected president of the Palestinian Authority. The United States vetoed the resolution, explaining it “[would] not support any resolution that evades the explicit threat to Middle East peace process posed by Hamas and other such terrorist groups.”

Document 683: United Nations GeneralAssembly Resolution ES-10/12, IllegalIsraeli Actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the Rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory (September 25, 2003) [G.A. Res. ES-10/12, U.N. GAOR, 10th Emergency Special Sess., Agenda Item 5, U.N. Doc. A/RES/ES-10/12 (2003)]. In Resolution ES-10/12, the General Assembly reiterates its grave concern at the tragic and violent events that had taken place since September 2000. It condemns the suicide bombings and their recent intensification and calls on the Palestinian Authority to take all necessary measures to end violence and terror. It also deplores the extrajudicial killings and their recent escalation, underlining that they violate international law and international humanitarian law. Finally, it expresses full support for the efforts of the Quartet and demands that both sides fully implement their obligations in accordance with the Road Map.

Document 684: Statement by Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman to the United Nations, Tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly (October 20, 2003) [U.N. GAOR, 21st mtg., 10th Emergency Special Sess., U.N. Doc. A/ES-10/PV.21 (2003)]. This statement to the Tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly by Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman begins by criticizing the call for another emergency special session as it violates the conditions set out in the Uniting for Peace procedure. Gillerman criticizes the General Assembly and the Security Council for not referring expressly and forcefully in that day’s resolutions to the Palestinians’ obligation to end terrorism. Gillerman further outlines why Israel was compelled to build a “security fence” and reiterates that the fence has no political significance. He also criticizes the Palestinian observer for exploiting the ICJ by asking for an advisory opinion on the security fence.

Document 685: Statement by Dr. Nasser Al-Kidwa, Ambassador of Palestine to the United Nations, Tenth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly (October 20, 2003) [U.N. GAOR, 21st mtg., 10th Emergency Special Sess., U.N. Doc. A/ES-10/PV.21 (2003)]. In his statement before the Tenth Emergency Session of the General Assembly, the Ambassador of Palestine to the United Nations, Dr. Nasser Al-Kidwa, addresses the issue of Israel’s construction of a wall in the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem, calling it “expansionist.” He criticizes the October 14 veto of a Security Council resolution that would have declared the wall illegal under relevant provisions of international law. Al-Kidwa describes Israel’s wall as exemplifying a hybrid of colonization and an apartheid system that attempts to negate the national existence of the indigenous people. He further calls for the formulation of a clearly stated and unanimous international position in opposition to the wall.

Document 686: United Nations General Assembly Resolution 58/97, Applicability of the Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War to the Occupied Palestinian Territory (December17, 2003) [G.A. Res. 58/97, U.N. GAOR, 58th Sess., Agenda Item 84, U.N. Doc. A/RES/58/97 (2003)]. In Resolution 58/97, the General Assembly welcomes and encourages the initiatives of states parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention aimed at ensuring respect for the convention. It also demands that Israel accept the de jure applicability of the convention in the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem, and comply scrupulously with the convention’s provisions.

Document 687: United Nations General Assembly Resolution 58/99, Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of Palestinian People in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (December 17, 2003) [G.A. Res. 58/99, U.N. GAOR, 58th Sess., Agenda Item 84, U.N. Doc. A/RES/58/99 (2003)]. In Resolution 58/99, the General Assembly stresses the need for full compliance with existing Israeli-Palestinian agreements and the implementation of the Quartet Road Map. It expresses grave concern over the use of suicide bombing attacks against Israeli civilians and the extensive destruction caused by the Israeli occupying forces in Palestinian cities, towns, villages, and refugee camps. It also expresses deep concern about the Israeli policy of closure and severe restrictions, including curfews, throughout the Occupied Territories. Finally, it condemns the events that occurred in the Jenin refugee camp in April 2002 that resulted in the loss of life, injury, destruction, and the displacement of persons.

Document 688: U.S.-Vetoed United Nations Security Council Draft Resolution, Condemning the Extrajudicial Execution Committed by Israel that Killed Sheikh Ahmed Yassin (March 24, 2004) [S.C. Draft Res., U.N. SCOR, U.N. Doc. S/2004/240 (2003)]. The United States vetoed this Security Council draft resolution condemning Israel’s extrajudicial execution of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. The U.S. representative stressed that it was important to remember that Yassin was the leader of a terrorist organization that had proudly taken credit for attacks on innocent civilians.

Document 689: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1544, Condemning the Killing of Palestinian Civilians that Took Place in the Rafah Area (May 19, 2004) [S.C. Res. 1544, U.N. SCOR, U.N. Doc. S/RES/1544 (2004)]. In Resolution 1544, the Security Council calls on Israel to address its security needs within the boundaries of international law and condemns the killing of Palestinian civilians that took place in the Rafah area. It expresses grave concern over the humanitarian situation facing Palestinians made homeless in the Rafah area and calls for the provision of emergency assistance to them.

Document 690: Excerpts of Declaration Issued at the Sixteenth Session of the Arab Summit, Tunis (May 23, 2004) [availableathttp://www.arabsummit.tn/en/tunis-declaration. htm]. In the Tunis Declaration, the League ofArab States declares the commitment of all international parties to materialize the principles of international legality and the United Nations resolutions pertaining to the Arab-Israeli conflict, in accordance with the Arab peace initiative and in implementation of the Road Map. It also addresses the situations in Iraq and Sudan.