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PA may suspend UN resolution after Hollande tells Abbas to drop the plans
The Palestinian Authority has indicated it is considering suspending its push for a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements.
A senior Palestinian Authority figure told the Haaretz newspaper that the PA has come under pressure from France and other countries to freeze the initiative because it clashes with France’s own plans to kick-start the Israeli-Palestinian peace process via a summer peace summit. The information was confirmed by Israeli officials.
The issue was reportedly raised by French President François Hollande when he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Élysée Palace in Friday. Mr Hollande reportedly urged a focus on the French peace initiative instead.
However, there is scepticism about the French initiative in both Israel and the USA. When asked about the plan on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu replied “Can somebody explain to me what is included in the French initiative? So far I don’t understand and I’m not sure the French understand.” Haaretz reports that US officials have heard only vague descriptions and no real detail.
The PA had distributed a draft UN Security Council resolution two weeks ago which condemned settlement construction. The resolution was reportedly very similar to a 2011 UN Resolution which was vetoed by the USA – the only American veto cast at the Security Council since Barack Obama became President. The plans for a new resolution had stoked debate about whether the USA would repeat its veto or allow the resolution to pass.
Commenting on the draft at the time. Mr Netanyahu said “The Palestinians teach their children every day that the settlements are Tel Aviv, Haifa and Acre. Abu Mazen [aka Mahmoud Abbas]’s actions will push peace talks further away. The only way to advance peace is through direct talks and [Abbas] is hiding from that”
Mr Abbas is currently in Germany where he met with Chancellor Angela Merkel. At a press conference with Ms Merkel, he condemned Monday’s bus bombing in Jerusalem, saying “We are against all forms of terrorist activity that affect Israeli and Palestinian civilians.”