For the first time in 18 months, the UN Security Council voted through a resolution on the Middle East yesterday. And even more unusually, both Israel and the Palestinians welcomed it. Or to be more accurate, parts of it.
Approved by 14 votes to zero on Tuesday night, with only Syria abstaining, the landmark resolution is the first ever passed by the Council to refer to a future state of "Palestine" co-existing with Israel, affirming "a vision of a region where two states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side within secure and recognised borders".
Drafted by the US, which more commonly uses its veto to block Arab-drafted resolutions directed against Israel, it also demands the "immediate cessation of all acts of violence, including all forms of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction," and urges the two sides to work towards resumed negotiations on a political settlement.
Officials from the Palestinian Authority singled out the reference to Palestinian statehood for praise, with Mr Nabil Abu Rudeineh, an adviser to President Yasser Arafat, declaring the resolution underlined that "the whole world is behind a Palestinian state". And Israel's Foreign Minister, Mr Shimon Peres, directed his appreciation at the wording calling for the cessation of terrorism and incitement. A ministry spokesman was less comfortable with the reference to Palestine, even though Israel's Prime Minister, Mr Ariel Sharon has publicly endorsed a Palestinian state.
The resolution was passed shortly after the UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, publicly branded Israel's occupation of West Bank territory as "illegal" and wrote to Mr Sharon to protest the latest army incursions into Palestinian territory and the consequent deaths.
US officials explained that their unexpected decision to initiate the resolution - superseding a Syrian draft that heavily criticised Israel - was intended in part to boost a peacemaking mission to the region by State Department envoy, retired Gen Anthony Zinni, who arrives this evening.
Both the resolution and that mission are designed by the US to indicate to Arab states that it is trying to be an honest broker between Israel and the Palestinians - and so at a time of escalating bloodshed here, to try and win Arab support for, or at least minimise opposition to, a US-led strike against Iraq.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, welcomed the resolution, saying that Ireland had been active in securing the adoption of the text. He said it was "a landmark resolution which offers a foundation for a just solution to one of the world's most intractable problems," writes David Shanks.
He also applauded "the engagement" of the US, saying it was essential for the credibility of the Council that it express itself clearly and decisively on "this grave crisis which poses a serious threat to international peace and security".
"I now call on the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to assume their responsibilities and to proceed to the immediate implementation of the Tenet and Mitchell plans without further delay and preconditions," the Minister said.
European Commission President, Mr Romano Prodi,yesterday condemned Israel's offensive and its use of military force in civilian districts.
"I completely condemn the re-occupation of the Palestinian territories, the use of military means in civilian areas and the destruction of public institutions in Palestine which humiliate that people," Mr Prodi said. "I think the blind attacks on Israeli civilians [by Palestinian guerrillas] are also repugnant. They serve only to create greater hatred," he added.
"It is clear to everybody that there is no military solution to the conflict," said Mr Prodi.