Palestinians eager to welcome UN Security Council mission
United Nations Security Council meeting
Adnan Abu Amer writes in Al Monitor, “Palestinians are awaiting word on whether UN Security Council representatives will soon visit Gaza and the West Bank. Council President Sacha Sergio Llorenty Soliz announced on Oct. 3 that he plans to arrange a trip in October, but did not specify a date or a possible agenda. Security Council visiting missions have in the past traveled to several regions around the world to assess the situation in conflict zones.
The last time a Security Council delegation sought to organize a visit to the Palestinian territories was in 2012, but the United States opposed the idea before it was even put to a vote. Until now, the council had refrained from proposing another visit, perhaps to avoid another clash with the United States, which as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council can quash such initiatives.
A high-ranking official close to Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas who spoke to Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity, remarked, “Palestinian diplomacy has been making persistent efforts to see the visit through for months by contacting our friends at the Security Council. But, we are seriously concerned that the US might play its veto card. In that case, we will resort to Plan B, which is demanding a non-official visit from the countries willing to come to the Palestinian territories.”
“Palestinians are determined about involving the United Nations in their conflict with Israel. In light of the many supportive resolutions introduced by the UN General Assembly since 1948, they view the body as an ally. Key resolutions have called for respecting human rights in the occupied territories and holding Israel responsible for ensuring the safety of residents….A tally of votes reveals 705 General Assembly and 86 Security Council proposed resolutions in defense of the Palestinians, but most of the measures in the Security Council were vetoed by the United States. (more…)