Palestinians Seek UN Action on Israeli Land Seizures in East Jerusalem

Strategic Insights -

Palestinian officials are growing increasingly frustrated with the Israeli government's decision to seize Arab-owned land in East Jerusalem, a move they fear could derail the ongoing peace process. The head of the Palestinian team for the Middle East peace process, Faisal Al-Husseini, has announced plans to request a meeting of the UN Security Council to address the issue. Al-Husseini has expressed his concern that if action is not taken to block Israel's land seizures, the peace process could be irreparably damaged.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Palestinian team for the Middle East peace process, led by Faisal Al-Husseini, will ask the UN Security Council to meet and pass a resolution urging Israel to halt land confiscations in East Jerusalem.
  • The UN Security Council held a debate on a similar issue in February after Israel confiscated lands in the West Bank, but no decision was reached.
  • The Israeli government's decision to seize Arab-owned land in East Jerusalem violates the Declaration of Principles signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1993.
  • Al-Husseini warned that if Israel's actions are not halted, they will create opposition to the peace process among Palestinians who have previously opposed it.
  • The Palestinian team has formed a contact group with representatives from six Arab countries and the Palestine Liberation Organization to follow up on discussions with Security Council member states.

Statistics:

  • 100+ acres of land owned by Arabs in East Jerusalem are planned to be taken over by Israel for the construction of Israeli settlements.
  • The Israeli government's land seizures in East Jerusalem are a violation of the Declaration of Principles, which prohibits further Jewish settlements on Palestinian land.
  • The peace process has been opposed mainly by fundamentalist movements in the Gaza strip and the West Bank.

Sources:

  • "Palestinian Official Demands Action Over Israeli Land Confiscate" by UN Wire
  • Declaration of Principles (September 13, 1993)
  • Statement by Faisal Al-Husseini to the UN Security Council