Palestinians target Israeli settlements in draft UN resolution

[azurnoir]

The Palestinians plan to ask the United Nations Security Council in the coming days to declare Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal and demand a halt to their construction, officials said on Wednesday, in a high stakes gamble aimed at increasing pressure on Israel.

A draft of the resolution obtained by The Associated Press calls the settlements obstacles to peace but does not ask for sanctions against Israel or any other concrete action.

This would be a key element in a Palestinian campaign to rally international support for independence, even without a peace deal. Officials said the strategy reflects their disillusionment with sputtering U.S. peace efforts and Palestinian distrust of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The move - largely aimed at seeking U.S. support - bears huge risks.

The U.S. has already balked at the resolution and might veto it. Even a U.S. abstention, a more likely option, would greatly diminish the resolution's significance.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/palestinians-target-israeli-settlements-in-draft-un-resolution-1.334110

and of course

US against anti-settlement resolution in Security Council

The draft resolution reaffirms Palestinian claims that “Israeli settlements established in the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, including east Jerusalem, are illegal and constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.”

Additionally, the document demands that Israel “immediately and completely ceases all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, and that it fully respects all of its legal obligations in this regard.”

Israeli officials said the more watered-down the resolution, the less likely that the US would use its veto to block it.

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Ayalon called on the international community to “show responsibility” and not create illusions for the Palestinians.

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=201488

[leveymg]

1. The Israelis are about to go bonkers.

Many of them view international recognition of the Palestine state as Apocalyptic. This is going to get worse before it gets better . . .