Pals demand curbs on Israel over roadmap refusal

By: Ahmad Hammadi

HELD JERUSALEM: The Palestinian Authority on Thursday has urged the United Nations to impose sanctions on Israel over its “refusal” to implement the Mideast roadmap despite a UN resolution, a day before the observation of the Day of Al-Quds across the globe.

Talking to Israeli radio Thursday, Deputy Premier Ehud Olmert said Israel does not feel bound by the UN Security Council's unanimous resolution on the internationally backed ‘roadmap’ for peace.

The 15-member council, despite sturdy objections from Israel and initial opposition from the United States, voted unanimously for the Russian-backed resolution to put its stamp of approval on the plan, which envisages a Palestinian state by 2005.

“We are pleased with this vote and we hope that the quartet -- the US, Russia, the European Union and the UN -- will establish a mechanism to apply the roadmap,” chief negotiator Saeb Erakat said.

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