Can Trump Protect Israeli Settlements in Palestinian Territory?
By Rakesh Raman
The U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has reacted sharply to United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution about the establishment of Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory.
The resolution decrees that the Israeli settlements have no legal validity, and they constitute a flagrant violation under international law.
The resolution also observed that the settlements are a major obstacle to a two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace.
But Trump has not welcomed the Security Council’s decision, as he said that it will be a big loss for Israel. Trump also said in a vague statement that we (perhaps the Trump Administration) will get it done. What will he do? Trump did not elaborate.
The big loss yesterday for Israel in the United Nations will make it much harder to negotiate peace.Too bad, but we will get it done anyway!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 24, 2016
Earlier, before the Security Council meeting, Trump had stated that the resolution being considered at the United Nations Security Council regarding Israel should be vetoed.
But instead of vetoing the resolution, the Obama Administration abstained from it which cleared the way to the adoption of resolution that condemned Israeli settlements.
[ Israeli Settlements: Trump Proposes Veto. Obama Says “No” ]
The 15-member Council adopted the resolution Friday by a vote of 14 in favour and with one abstention – the United States abstained from the vote. The resolution had been put forward by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal, and Venezuela.
In the resolution, the Council reiterated its demand that Israel “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem, and that it fully respect all of its legal obligations in this regard.”
The Inauguration Day ceremony will take place on January 20, 2017 when Trump is scheduled to begin his four-year term as President.
By Rakesh Raman, who is a government award-winning journalist and runs free school for deserving children under his NGO – RMN Foundation.
