Haaretz
Tamuz 6, 5765
The Palestinian Authority said
yesterday that it would ask the United Nations to take punitive measures
against international companies whose products are used by Israel in the
separation barrier project.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Nasser
al-Kidwa named only one firm, Illinois-based Caterpillar Inc., whose
earth-moving machinery and bulldozers are among the equipment used to
clear ground and sometimes Palestinian homes.
"We want to see some
concrete measures," Kidwa said. "We are proposing completely punitive
measures against entities, companies and individuals that contribute to
the construction of the wall and other illegal activities in the occupied
Palestinian territory."
Kidwa said such measures could include
undertakings by UN member states not to issue visas or work contracts to
companies linked to the barrier project.
There is little chance the
United States and others in the UN Security Council would approve such
sanctions.
But some Arab envoys hope that recommendations by the
world body's 191-member General Assembly might spark boycotts by
attrition, similar to those used effectively against South Africa over
apartheid.
The World Court has judged the network of razor
wire-tipped fences and concrete walls to be illegal. Israel has ignored
the court's call to stop the project, saying the barrier is justified
because it stops Palestinian suicide bombers.
Caterpillar,
responding to criticism by human rights groups, has said sales to Israel
comply with U.S. law. At an April 14 meeting, 96 percent of Caterpillar's
shareholders backed the company's position that it cannot enforce how its
equipment is used.
Kidwa made the comments a day after Israel's
cabinet decided to build another segment of the barrier around
Jerusalem.
Palestinian officials said about 100,000 Palestinians
would be cut off from jobs, schools and hospitals in Jerusalem and
surrounding areas. Kidwa said Sunday's decision, which is to be
implemented by September, shocked the Palestinian leadership and
necessitated quick action.
"You cannot talk peace and at the same
time colonize Palestinian land, to construct the wall and continue to
build settlements. This will destroy the present and future of the
Palestinians," Kidwa added.