The U.S. State Department called “unhelpful” a draft resolution demanding that Israel “immediately and completely cease” settlement activities in the West Bank circulating among UN Security Council members – days before a meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In reaction to a slew of terrorist assaults in Yerushalayim, Israel declared that it would legalize nine outposts and move forward with plans for 10,000 additional settlement homes in the West Bank, prompting the creation of the resolution. The United Arab Emirates wrote the statement in consultation with the Palestinians, and the 15-member council is expected to vote on it on Monday, according to diplomats.
The resolution “reaffirms that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law.” It also condemns all attempts at annexation, including decisions and measures by Israel regarding settlements.
On Thursday, the White House said it was “deeply dismayed” by the plans for a major expansion of settlements. “We are deeply dismayed by the Israelis’ announcement,” said U.S. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration maintains its “firm opposition to the settlement expansion,” she added.
But later on Thursday, the U.S. State Department called the resolution “unhelpful,” despite Washington’s criticism.
Daniel Shek, Former Israeli Ambassador to France and Political Commentator, said about the resolution: “It will put the American administration in a real dilemma should they use the veto which is something they definitely would not want to do or should they openly open a front of tension with the new Israeli government.”
To avoid such a predicament, the Americans are trying to turn the resolution into a non-binding statement, which Washington could support without too much damage to its relations with Israel. The last time a resolution against Israeli settlements was passed by the Security Council was in December 2016 with 14 in favor. The United States, under former President Barack Obama, abstained – allowing it to pass.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also said he was “deeply troubled” by the settlement authorization. Blinken wrote, “We are deeply troubled by the Israeli government’s announcement that it is advancing nearly 10,000 settlement units and intends to begin a process to normalize nine outposts that were previously deemed illegal under Israeli law. We strongly oppose these unilateral actions, which will only serve to exacerbate tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution.” -i24 News
Never mind that the arabs are building all over the place! THAT the UN doesn’t care about.
Hey there Blinkery Blink; it is already a two state divided land. Furthermore, the arabs kill, the Jews build and the Jews get reprimanded. Not a word from the UN, the White House POPUS, etc. It’s one big sham.