CBNNews.com - Israeli appeals to U.N. Security Council members to modify the harsh language in its draft resolution condemning the closure on the Gaza Strip is falling on deaf ears.

According to the Israeli daily Haaretz, non-Arab members of the Security Council are also uncomfortable with the harsh language in the document, which will be issued in the form of a nonbinding presidential statement because of U.S. opposition to a binding resolution condemning Israel.

"What would Security Council members do if London, Moscow, Paris or Tripoli were being bombarded [with rockets and mortar shells]," asked Israeli representative Gilad Cohen. "Would you continue to sit with folded hands," he asked?

Permanent Palestinian U.N. observer Riad Mansour rebuked Cohen, labeling Israel "the occupying power [that engages in] cruel and illegal behavior [which] endangers the lives of millions [of Palestinians and] undermines peace."

Sources: Haaretz, israel insider