The Council also is extremely concerned about blanket condemnations of Arabs and Muslims, the majority of whom clearly abhor these actions. Already both Arab organisations and Arab citizens in the US and elsewhere have received death threats, and proper security and protection must be afforded to them. The Council has also received reports of abuse against Arabs in the UK including drawing a swastika on an Arab home. If evidence does link the bombings to parties from the Middle East, then actions against the perpetrators must be taken. However, justice should remain the cornerstone of any real solution to the problems in the Middle East.
Terrorism is nurtured by anger and despair.
The extremism seen in Afghanistan comes against a backdrop of years of military interventions by the Soviet Union and the United States. The Israeli invasions of Jenin and Jericho using the attacks in the United states as cover for further outrageous acts of its own in the West Bank and Gaza Strip must be condemned. The way forward is for the international community to remind both sides of their obligations under international law and help bring the parties back to the negotiating table. The implementation of the Mitchell plan including an end to violence, all settlement building and the closures is an obvious starting point. It is also crucial that whatever reprisals are taken, are done with the support of the international community.