UN Photo/Manuel Elias
With United States abstaining, the U.N. Security Council on Friday approved a resolution demanding Israel stop building settlements on occupied Palestinian territory and declaring all such constructions since the 1967 war, including in East Jerusalem with “no legal validity.”
The vote saw a reversal of U.S. practice to protect Israel from United Nations action.
The resolution was submitted at the 15-member council for a vote on Friday by New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal a day after Egypt withdrew it under pressure from Israel and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Israel and Trump had called on the United States to veto the measure.
The resolution was adopted with 14 votes in favor, to a round of applause. It is the first resolution the Security Council has adopted on Israel and the Palestinians in nearly eight years.
The departing Obama administration has been highly critical of Israel’s settlement building, describing it as an impediment to a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. US Ambassador to UN Samantha Powerr declared settlements as having “no legal validity”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has made clear that he will take a far more sympathetic approach to Israel when his administration assumes office in a month.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the adoption of a Security Council resolution which states that the establishment of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, have “no legal validity,” constitute a “flagrant violation” under international law and are a “major obstacle” to a two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.
“The resolution is a significant step, demonstrating the Council’s much needed leadership and the international community’s collective efforts to reconfirm that the vision of two States is still achievable,” the UN chief’s spokesperson said in a statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been saying his country would not abide by the terms of the settlements resolution.
According to The Washington Post about 400,000 Jews live in roughly 150 settlements in the West Bank while an additional 200,000 Israelis live in East Jerusalem. Palestinians want both areas to be part of their state.
