Jordanian Queen attacks Israeli actions against Palestinians

Queen Rania of Jordan has accused Israel of creating a "human rights catastrophe" in the West Bank and suggested Mideast peace is impossible without a strong U.S. mediating role.

Speaking on CNN's "Larry King Live" Tuesday, Rania said Israel has deprived Palestinian civilians of water, food and medicine and caused deaths by blocking access to hospitals during its nearly 3-week offensive in the West Bank.

"What we are seeing actually in the West Bank is collective punishment of people," said the queen.

"Prime Minister (Ariel) Sharon is after some suspects that he believes are terrorists, but in the process he is terrorizing the lives of many, many people," she said.

Rania said the incursions are "dismantling the infrastructure for peace" by stoking hatred. "Nobody's a winner here, except extremists," she said.

The Israelis and Palestinians cannot end the violence on their own, Rania said.

"There needs to be the full engagement of a third party, preferably the United States because that's viewed as the party that has leverage over Israel and can assure the fairness - can make sure that both sides are honoring any
agreements that are reached between them," she said. (Albawaba.com)