Military

DATE=10/20/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / HUMAN RIGHTS (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-268201

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: Israel says it will not cooperate with a United Nations investigation into its alleged human rights abuses in the Palestinian territories. V-O-A Correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: The Israeli Foreign Ministry has rejected a resolution by the U-N Human Rights Commission, condemning Israel for "war crimes" and "gross violations of human rights" during recent violence in the Palestinian territories.

The commission on Thursday approved a draft resolution proposed by Arab countries that also calls for a U-N inquiry into the clashes.

The United States, European countries and Israel opposed the resolution, saying it is one-sided.

The commission's vote requests that the U-N Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, visit the region and report on alleged Israeli violations during the past three weeks of violence with the Palestinians.

In a statement Friday, Israeli authorities said the

U-N resolution was "hostile, unbalanced and unnecessary." (Signed)

NEB/MB/KL/WTW