By: Azhar Azam
The declaration demands Israel to fully end the occupation that began in 1967 and reiterated a two-nation solution, including the Palestinians’ right to statehood and sovereignty. The conference also “noted to the importance of addressing the dire humanitarian and security situation in Gaza Strip and called for swift steps to improve the situation”.
Israeli prime minister Netanyahu slammed the Sunday peace conference uttering the conference “futile”. “The conference is among the twitches of yesterday’s world”, was signaling towards change of presidencies in the White House. He added “it was coordinated between the French and the Palestinians with the aim of imposing upon Israel conditions that are incompatible with our national need.”
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas however welcomed the conference declaration stating “the Paris conference has reaffirmed and reiterated all international legitimacy resolutions, including pillars of international law, rejecting any dictations, settlements, and imposing realities on the ground”. He further hailed French president and government for holding and exerting all efforts for the success of this peace conference on Israel-Palestine conflict
The Paris Peace Conference comes after United Nations Security Council (UNSC) finally realization of Israeli stern violations of international humanitarian laws in occupied-Palestine by passing an anti-settlement activities resolution.
Drafted by Egypt, the resolution was presented by New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela, and Senegal before 15-member UN Security Council and slated a stalwart shock to Israel by supporting the momentous resolution, 14-0.
The United States abstained to vote, defying calls from Israel and the President-elect Donald Trump. A resolution is adopted through 9-votes in favor and no veto from either of the countries such as Britain, China, France, Russia, or the United States.
Nearly 430,000 Israelis have been settled in West Bank whereas another 200,000 lives in Israeli-occupied East Jerusalem, which Palestinians pronounces to be their future capital.
UNSC Resolution Highlights
The resolution stressed Israel to abide meticulously by its legal obligations and responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva Convention; which bars occupant to move population into and establishing of settlements in the occupied territory.
UNSC also condemned the altering of demographic composition, character, and status of the Palestine territory, including East Jerusalem as well as “all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terror”.
It also declared that the establishment of settlements by Israel in the Palestine territory, including the East Jerusalem, “has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law”.
Unanimously passed resolution demanded Israel to “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem”.
Israeli Response
Livid by the resolution, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lashed hard at Obama and the United States for failing to protect Israel against the gang-up at the council. “Israel rejects this shameful anti-Israel resolution at the UN and will not abide by the terms.”
Beleaguered by the international community, Israel summoned all ambassadors of UNSC member countries who are operating embassies in Israel and voted in favor of the resolution on Christmas day including the United States, China, Russia, and Britain.
Israel further annulled the Ukrainian prime minister scheduled visit to Israel in context of its vote in UN Security Council. Ukrainian foreign ministry considered it “an emotional reaction of some Israeli ministers and politicians”.
Netanyahu also accused Obama for plotting, initiating, backing, and demanding to pass the resolution. “By refusing to veto, the Obama administration broke a long tradition.” “Friends don’t take friends to the Security Council.” He also slammed Obama of a “shameful anti-Israel ambush” stating it a “spiteful act”.
Trump and Republicans Reaction
Israeli prime minister now looks forward to Donald Trump to seek support who pushed Israel “stay strong, January 20 is fast approaching”. Netanyahu too praised Trump for his support “thank you for your warm friendship and clear-cut support for Israel”.
Republicans also condemned UN resolution and threatened UN for dire consequences for it. Ted Cruz said to cut US funding to the UN until the resolution is reversed whereas Lindsey Graham vowed that he would “form bipartisan coalition to suspend and significantly reduce” funding. He added to penalize the countries by blockading US aid for supporting this resolution.
Trump’s pick for new ambassador to UN, Nikki Haley, is a stalwartly pro-Israel and as governor of South California, she legislated against movement dubbed BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanctions), aimed to punishing Israel economically over its actions toward Palestinians. She also supported Netanyahu on his objections over Iran nuclear deal.
However in order to revoke the resolution, Trump would need at least eight countries to vote for reversal as well as it is not vetoed by any of the permanent UN Security Council member, which is highly unlikely. (VOX)
John Kerry Fires Back at Israel
Israeli criticism is predominantly focused to rip Obama and his administration and very much inclined to Donald Trump; outgoing Secretary of State John Kerry delivered blistering speech to carp Israel in defense of Obama administration and not to veto the resolution.
Accentuating pursuit of peace in Middle East, he said that Obama emphasized his deep commitment to Israel and its security. He highlighted that the two-state solution is the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
Pointing at Israel, he argued “Regrettable some seem to believe that the US friendship means that US must accept any policy, regardless of its own interests, our own positions, our own words, our own principles – even after urging again and again that the policy must change.”
Kerry believes that the Israeli prime minister publically maintains a two nation solution but his current coalition is the most right wing in history, with an agenda driven by most of the extremist elements. He criticized Israeli government policies which are going in the opposite direction – towards one state, in defiance to Netanyahu self described “more committed to settlements than any in Israel’s history”.
Resolution Repercussions
This resolution is not a legal binding for Israel immediately and only a symbolic gesture to condemning Israel illicit settlements in occupied-Palestine on international political and diplomatic forum. However at the same time, it could discharge certain legal and economic repercussion for Israel in future.
Such as the resolution coincides on the violence against civilians, alleging Israel of war crimes which could give an impetus to International Court of Justice (ICC) at The Hague to stage a full-blown investigation against the Israel on illegal settlements.
Moreover, since this resolution is passed by all the Security Council members unanimously, it could used as a baseline to impose economic sanctions against Israel and Israeli companies in future including boycott, divestment etc.
US Betrayed Israel or Israel Betrayed US
By and large, Obama has supported Israel than any other American president in history but Israeli efforts to over-influence the State policies and elections enraged Obama administration and the lame duck Obama reprimands Israel before departure.
The expulsion of 35-Russian diplomats is another extension to the Democrats’ outrage over foreign intervention in US elections.
So it is not US who betrayed Israel, it is Israel who betrayed the US!