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United Nations

UN Draft Resolution Aims to Restart Israeli-Palestinian Peace Talks

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A proposed United Nations draft resolution calls for renewed Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations, citing a halt to Israeli settlement expansions and Palestinian action at the International Criminal Court. The resolution, obtained by The Associated Press, expresses alarm at the escalating cycle of violence and reiterates the need for a two-state solution achieved through direct negotiations. New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully emphasized the urgency of action, stating that recent events "cry out for action." The current wave of violence has resulted in the deaths of 11 Israelis and 58 Palestinians, with the Israeli government attributing the violence to Palestinian incitement, while Palestinians point to nearly 50 years of occupation as the root cause.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN draft resolution demands an end to violence, avoidance of incitement, and protection of civilians by both Israel and the Palestinians.
  • The resolution calls on both sides to refrain from provocative acts, including those that threaten the historic status quo of holy sites in Jerusalem.
  • The 17-month suspension of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians is deemed "unacceptable," with a call to rebuild trust and take steps to prepare for talks in a realistic but early timeframe.
  • The draft resolution asks the Quartet of Mideast mediators, the U.S., U.N., European Union, and Russia, as well as sponsors of the Arab peace initiative and Security Council members, to assist in preparing the parties for negotiations.
  • Israel's settlement expansions and Palestinian action at the International Criminal Court are cited as major points of contention.
  • The Palestinians have officially joined the ICC in April, seeking to prosecute Israel for alleged war crimes during the 2014 Gaza conflict.

Statistics:

  • 11 Israelis and 58 Palestinians have been killed in the current wave of violence.
  • The conflict began in mid-September 2015, amidst tensions over a sensitive holy site in Jerusalem.
  • Israel attributes the violence to Palestinian incitement.
  • Palestinians attribute the violence to nearly 50 years of Israeli occupation.
  • The 17-month suspension of negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians is being seen as unacceptable.
  • The proposed UN draft resolution would have the Security Council mandate a course of action for negotiations in a realistic but early timeframe.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press
  • UN draft resolution (obtained by The Associated Press)
  • New Zealand's Foreign Minister Murray McCully
  • Israeli media reports on objections to the UN draft resolution
  • International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda

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