BICOM

In a surprise vote on Friday evening, a UN Security Council Resolution criticising Israeli settlements was adopted by 14 votes to zero, with the United States abstaining.

An earlier draft of UN Security Council Resolution 2334 had been initiated by Egypt on Wednesday, but had subsequently been withdrawn after reported pressure from Israel and the incoming Trump Administration. Friday’s resolution, jointly proposed by New Zealand, Senegal, Malaysia and Venezuela, was the first Security Council resolution on the issue of Israeli settlements since 1980.

The resolution expressed “grave concern that continuing Israeli settlement activities are dangerously imperiling the viability of the two-State solution based on the 1967 lines” and also condemned “all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror, as well as all acts of provocation, incitement and destruction.” Notably, it called upon all States, “to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967.” Israel believes that the resolution prejudges final status issues and could strengthen those who wish to promote boycotts against the Jewish state.

Responding to the vote, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said it was absurd of the resolution to determine that the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem was occupied territory. At the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday morning, Netanyahu expressed his anger and frustration at what he termed “the unbalanced resolution” which “the Security Council passed in an unworthy manner” and also criticised the Obama Administration for not vetoing it. Israel has cancelled Ukrainian President Groysman’‎s scheduled visit, due to Kiev’‎s support for the resolution, and has recalled its ambassadors from New Zealand and Senegal for consultations. The government also announced it will cancel all aid programs to Senegal and is considering stopping its funding to five UN agencies to the tune of £6.3m.

Israeli politicians from the opposition were also critical of the resolution, although many simultaneously blamed Prime Minister Netanyahu’s policies for isolating Israel. Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid called the resolution dangerous and unfair, but also stated that “What became clear yesterday was that no country in the world agrees with the Israeli government. We had zero supporters at the vote.” Former Prime Minister and Defence Minister Ehud Barak, a long-time critic of Netanyahu, commented that “A government that does not act and does not lead a [peace] process brings resolutions like this upon itself.”

Having voted in favour of the resolution, the UK’s UN representative, Matthew Rycroft reaffirmed the need to end all terrorism and incitement as well as the expansion of settlements and reiterated the United Kingdom’s rejection of efforts to de-legitimise Israel.