SG/SM/8313
SECRETARY-GENERAL DISTURBED BY REPORTS ISRAEL USING MEASURES THAT AMOUNT TO COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT
19/07/2002
| Press Release SG/SM/8313 |
SECRETARY-GENERAL DISTURBED BY REPORTS ISRAEL USING MEASURES
THAT AMOUNT TO COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT
The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for the Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary-General is disturbed by reports that the Israeli government has again destroyed the homes of Palestinians in the West Bank, and are considering the forcible transfer of relatives of suicide bombers from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip.
While he has repeatedly condemned suicide bombings and upheld Israel’s right to defend itself, the Secretary-General wishes to make clear that self-defence cannot justify measures that amount to collective punishments.
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