Palestinians Push New Anti-Israel Resolutions Targeting Construction in Yehuda and Shomron
The Palestinian delegation to the United Nations is preparing a series of resolutions condemning Israel’s presence and construction activities in Yehuda and Shomron, eastern Yerushalayim, and the Golan Heights, with votes expected in the UN General Assembly before the end of November.
The diplomatic initiative comes as Israel’s political leadership is occupied with efforts to form a new government following the recent elections. Palestinian officials are seeking to take advantage of the political transition to increase international pressure on Israel and secure broader opposition to its policies.
According to a report published Friday morning, the proposed resolutions address several issues, including assistance for Palestinian refugees, protection of their property, and condemnation of Israeli construction in areas claimed by the Palestinians.
Particular attention is being directed toward the E1 area near Maale Adumim, where Israeli plans to advance construction tenders have generated international opposition. Palestinian officials are pressing for language explicitly criticizing development in the strategically sensitive area.
One of the most consequential proposals would call on the United Nations to formally declare that it does not recognize Israel’s presence in Yehuda and Shomron.
The Palestinians are also seeking international endorsement of policies that distinguish between Israeli territory within the pre-1967 lines and communities and activities in Yehuda and Shomron. The objective is to strengthen the diplomatic framework for treating the two areas differently in international agreements and government policies.
Intensive negotiations over the wording of the proposed resolutions have been taking place in recent days, with Palestinian representatives focusing particularly on securing support from European Union member states.
However, consultations among the EU’s 27 members this week exposed significant disagreements over the proposals. European representatives have reportedly been unable to reach a unified position on any of the resolutions under discussion.
Despite the lack of European consensus, diplomatic officials believe the Palestinian delegation intends to proceed with the General Assembly votes rather than delay the initiative in hopes of securing unanimous European backing.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, is meanwhile leading a diplomatic effort to counter the Palestinian campaign.
Israeli representatives have been holding discussions with foreign delegations in an attempt to soften the language of the resolutions, persuade countries to oppose them, and prevent the Palestinians from securing the broad international support they are seeking.
The Palestinian initiative comes amid an already tense international dispute over construction in E1. In October, the European Union publicly urged Israel to reverse settlement expansion in the area and warned businesses against participating in construction projects there.
European governments have repeatedly expressed support for a Palestinian state alongside Israel and opposition to Israeli construction beyond the pre-1967 lines. Nevertheless, those shared positions have not translated into agreement among all 27 EU members over the specific wording of the latest Palestinian resolutions.
The proposed measures would be voted on by the General Assembly, where resolutions generally carry political and diplomatic weight rather than the binding enforcement authority associated with certain Security Council decisions.
