UN Security Council Considers Draft Resolution Calling Israel To Stop Building Settlements

Illustration of Jewish settlements in the West Bank. (Wikimedia Commons/Ralf Roletschek)

JAKARTA - The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution that would demand that Israel "immediately and completely stop all settlement-building activities in the occupied Palestinian territories."

The 15-member council is likely to vote next Monday on the text, which was drafted by the United Arab Emirates in coordination with Palestine, diplomats said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government on Sunday authorized nine settler outposts in the occupied West Bank, as well as announcing the mass construction of new homes in pre-existing settlements.

Previously, the Security Council demanded that Israel stop building settlements in December 2016. It adopted the resolution after the administration of US President Barack Obama abstained, going against its practice of protecting Israel from UN action.

The US mission to the UN and Israel's mission to the UN did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the draft resolution.

The text "reiterates that the establishment of settlements by Israel in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and is a flagrant violation under international law."

It also condemns all annexation attempts, including decisions and actions by Israel regarding settlements.

It is known that most world powers consider illegal the settlements that Israel built on land it captured in the 1967 war with Arab powers. Israel denies this and cites biblical, historical and political ties to the West Bank, as well as security interests.

Yesterday, the foreign ministers of four European countries and Canada joined the United States on Tuesday in opposing the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Government's decision to allow nine Jewish settler outposts in the occupied West Bank.

The foreign ministers of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the United States issued a joint statement, expressing concern over the plans Israel announced on Sunday.

"We strongly oppose any unilateral action that will only exacerbate tensions between Israel and the Palestinians and undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution," they said.

Later, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said Ottawa was also strongly opposed to expanding settlements and added, "Such unilateral actions jeopardize efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace."

Separately, Hussein al-Sheikh, a senior Palestinian official, welcomed the joint statement but looked forward to concrete action.

"We demand that words be turned into deeds," he said.

Israel's Foreign Ministry did not immediately comment on this.

However, right-wing politician and Israel's Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, of the hardline religious nationalist bloc in PM Netanyahu's government, said he wanted to go further.

"This is our mission. This is our doctrine," said Ben-Gvir.

"Nine settlements are good but still not enough. We want more," he said in a video message.