Israel, the Aftermath of Attacking Syria After 30 Years

International public opinions of criticism toward Israel are growing, after Israel attacked Syrian territory as a retaliatory measure against the destructive suicide bomb terror by a Palestinian woman on October 5. Struggle between Israel and Palestinian is likely to enlarge dispute of the Arab World.

Europe criticized the attack of Israel on the right, while U. S. showed its response in defense of Israel and the response of these two worlds was contrasted.

The UN Security Council held an emergency conference right away, and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat declared an emergency cabinet to cope with the situation.

The Arab nations also held an emergency conference and blamed the attack of Israel against Syria as a provocative behavior threatening the peace of Middle East and territory security.

The Arab League, consisting of 22 nations, with a statement, warned, “The attack by Israel is likely to raise a whirlwind of violence and will force the UN Security Council to intervene so that it will not last any longer.”

The Foreign Affairs of Egypt announced, “We declare that the Syria and Jordan governments to declared the attack by Israel as an attack of a brother nation.

Gerhard Schroder, prime minister of Germany and the French government called the Israeli attack “an unpardonable behavior”, and “violation of international law unpardonable” respectively. The British Foreign Affairs also mentioned, “Israel can protect itself from terror but should observe the international law.

Meanwhile Gorge W. Bush was likely to take a position at a distance and did not criticize Israel directly. President Bush called Sharon Israeli Prime Minister and mention, “Tension should not be built up any more, but the struggle against terror should be continued in this territory.”

The U.S. State Department on October 5 said, “Syria should stop providing the shelters for terrorists and cut the relationship of the people planning and directing the terror clearly.”

The UN Security Council held an emergency conference to discuss the issue of the Israeli attack on October 5 around 4 p.m. (October 6, 5 a.m. in Korea). Syria, one of the nonpermanent members of Security Council, presented a draft resolution including the blame for Israeli attack.

14 nations except the U.S. criticized Israeli attack, calling it ‘ illegal’ or at least ‘unnecessary behavior’.

However John Negroponte, U.N Ambassador to UN cleared his opinion, “The U.S. will exercise the veto right unless the resolution includes the blame for the Palestinian armed terrorists.”

Yasser Arafat declared an emergency situation on October 5 and appointed an emergency cabinet consisting of eight people as well as Ahmad Kurei, the prime minster nominee. This is likely for the preparation in case of Israel expelling Arafat. In light of that, Kurei can exercise the right of the prime minster position on the spot.

Meanwhile Hamas, the Palestinian armed organization, warned through the statement, “We will attack the heart of Israel.”

Seung-Jin Kim sarafina@donga.com