law. Any system of law-and certainly that is what the United Nations aspires to be-has as its first rule the equal application of the law. This principle lies at the heart of the Charter of the United Nations. Universality is the very cornerstone of the United Nations. The unfortunate obses- sion of several States in the Council debate with the selec- tive application of international conventions is destructive to the quest for world order as envisaged by the Charter. This cannot be allowed to continue. Either these conven- tions apply to all or they apply to none. Selective applica- tion of the Charter or international conventions strikes at the very heart of the institution. My Government will con- tinue to oppose such destructive- tendencies. 184. I was also grieved by the repeated accusations of hostility toward Palestinians made by those who choose to forget that my country has done more to support the Pales- tinians through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency since 1949 than any other country. As is well known, the United States is by far the largest contributor to UNRWA. 185. Let me turn now to the draft resolution before the Council [ibid.]. 16 186. The United States Government cannot support a draft resolution which singles out for condemnation the detention and other policies of Israel on the West Bank and Gaza without equally condemning and calling for a halt to the acts of terror against Israeli civilians and offi- cials in the West Bank and Gaza which have provoked those policies. 187. We have made clear in the past that we consider measures such as administrative detention and deportation to be inconsistent with the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949.* 188. As we have stated repeatedly, the United States 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a statement from a government representative, likely the United States, addressing the United Nations Security Council. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating that the topic is likely to be a contentious issue. The text mentions the United Nations Charter, international conventions, and specific countries, suggesting that the category is related to international relations and politics. The content also touches on humanitarian issues, such as the treatment of Palestinians and the actions of Israel, which might be related to human rights or humanitarian aid.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief