ARABS-ISRAEL - Aug. 5 - UN Demands Israeli Withdrawal.

The UN General Assembly passes a resolution, drafted jointly by EU and PA envoys and approved 114 to four with 11 abstentions, which expresses grave concern over Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian cities and the "dire humanitarian situation" facing Palestinians. The resolution demands the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces from PA-ruled cities and towns and stresses the need for free access to Palestinian areas at all times by medical and humanitarian relief organisations. It "condemns also all attacks against civilians on both sides". Diplomats say the resolution takes a far softer line on Israel than an earlier Palestinian draft that was harshly critical of the Jewish state.