The Security Council discussed the draft resolution Tuesday and scheduled consultations again Wednesday morning, with members from the Non-Aligned Movement of developing countries pressing for action after more than two months of violence between Israelis and Palestinians that has killed nearly 300 people, the vast majority of them Palestinians.
Every pause results in further deaths and destruction on the ground.
Several key council members, including the United States, France, Britain, the Netherlands and Canada, have said they couldn't authorize the force without Israel's consent. And Israel on Tuesday reiterated its longstanding opposition to an international presence. As we have stated over and over again, it is Israel's firm belief that only bilateral negotiations are fruitful, as was proven in previous peace treaties between Israel and Egypt, Jordan and even the Palestinians. Last month, U.S. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke issued a veiled threat to veto any resolution that wasn't supported by both sides, but the Palestinians and their Security Council allies said they want a vote even if the resolution is defeated because of U.S. opposition.