Analysis: Implications of Jenin impasse

The confrontation between the United Nations and Israel over a proposed UN fact-finding team to investigate what happened in the Jenin refugee camp appears to have reached a head.


The UN has tried to reassure the Israelis over the investigation


The UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, has said that he thinks the team should be disbanded because of Israel's failure to co-operate with it.

His announcement shows that UN patience with Israeli objections over the proposed Jenin investigation appears to have run out.

Over a week of wrangling and delays, the UN has already met a number of Israel's demands - including the addition of a counterterrorism expert to the team and an offer to show Israel the findings of any report before the Security Council even sees it.