United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, said during the meeting that Israels construction plans in East Jerusalem - if they go ahead - cast doubt on its willingness to promote peace. The construction undermines the chance for a two-state solution. Israel on Monday announced it was moving ahead with plans to build more than 1,000 new settler homes in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians see as the capital of a future state. The push followed weeks of skirmishes between Palestinian youths and police in East Jerusalem over fears that Israel wanted to restrict access to the al-Aqsa mosque, Islams third holiest site. There were no plans for a resolution, but Jordan told a meeting of Arab ambassadors on Tuesday that it would seek a Security Council statement condemning Israel, diplomatic sources said. It remained uncertain whether the United States would support a statement critical of its ally, Israel. Washington used its UN veto power in 2011 - the only veto wielded by President Barack Obamas administration - to quash a resolution condemning Israeli settlements. UN diplomats say the Israeli push for more settlements is jeopardizing prospects for Palestinian statehood on land that is riddled with Jewish settlements. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on Israel to reverse settlement expansions, calling them illegal and totally countering the pursuit of a two-state solution. European countries are stepping up the pressure on Israel to seek a peace deal, with Sweden announcing it was ready to recognize Palestine and the British parliament holding a non-binding vote on recognizing statehood. The European Union has suggested that Israel could face sanctions for its continued settlement building, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been unfazed by the criticism. I wont make concessions that will endanger our country, Netanyahu told the Knesset on Wednesday. In his letter to the Security Council, the Palestinian representative said the council should demand that Israel rescind its plan immediately and commit to the path of peace that it has clearly and recklessly abandoned.
Posted on: Wed, 29 Oct 2014 20:09:28 +0000
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