UN votes to send Robindon to Middle East

United Nations' top human rights body has voted to send an urgent mission to investigate Israeli-Palestinian violence.

Israel said the special discussion that produced the resolution was just one more example of a one-sided attack on the Jewish state at the United Nations.

The resolution sponsored by Islamic countries condemned "the frightening increase in loss of life, the invasion of Palestinian territory, the arrest of Palestinians" and other suffering as well as restrictions on journalists and UN and Red Cross workers.

Under a last-minute Swedish proposal, the resolution was amended to make clear that the UN investigation is "to look into the civilian suffering on all sides."

But Israeli Ambassador Yaakov Levy said the resolution was still "one-sided."

He said it is "not helpful will not contribute to the peace process. There is no need for one other mission which could inflame the delicate situation."

The resolution, approved by the 53-nation UN Human Rights Commission on a 44-2 vote with seven abstentions, will send Mary Robinson, the UN high commissioner for human rights, on an immediate trip to the region.

Mrs Robinson, who has previously drawn Israeli ire by criticising the occupation of Palestinian territory, said she would leave as soon as possible, include "two prominent international personalities" in her group and return within a week.