South African professor John Dugard has never been a favorite among Israelis and their nation's allies.
That's because the longtime special United Nations envoy in this region has never been one to pull his punches.
He has repeatedly criticized Israel for its treatment of Palestinians and, earlier this year, compared Israel's policies to South African apartheid - an inflamatory charge that led to emotional calls for his dismissal.
Now Dugard is urging the United Nations to pull out of the Quartet unless it does more to help the Palestinians.
"Every time I visit, the situation seems to have worsened," Dugard said this week in an interview with the BBC.
Dugard complained that the Quartet was "heavily influenced" by the US and that the UN should end its participation unless the Quartet does more to improve the human rights situation for Palestinians.
Dugard isn't the only one at the UN complaining about US dominance of the Quartet.
In June, outgoing UN Middle East envoy Alvaro de Soto produced a scathing report in which he said the UN had been "pummeled into submission" by US influence.
But the remarkable candor from Dugard and de Soto is unlikely to lead to a UN withdrawal from the Quartet. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has only been on the job ten months and he isn't likely to take on the US and Israel so early in his tenure.
He has repeatedly criticized Israel for its treatment of Palestinians and, earlier this year,
Poop Poor Palestinians, WHY NOT HELP THEMSELVES FIRST. Stop the caveman actions and stand up and do something for themselves besides tear up
Posted by: Diana | October 17, 2007 at 07:03 AM
dugurds's statement comparing israel and palestian as apartheid was very bad, how could a UN peace chief uttered such a provokative statement. i think Dugard should be questioned and he most also tender apology to the Israelis.
Posted by: dimeji matthew | October 17, 2007 at 08:39 AM