Palestinians Plan UN Resolutions Against Israel Amid EU Disagreement

The Palestinian delegation is preparing to introduce a series of resolutions at the UN General Assembly aimed at challenging Israel's international status, particularly in the aftermath of the war that began on October 7, 2023. These initiatives, expected to be voted on in November, include measures concerning aid for Palestinian refugees, protection of their property, and condemnation of Israeli settlements in areas the UN considers occupied, such as East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. The proposals also reportedly target Israel's plans for construction tenders in the E1 area, a strategically significant location east of Jerusalem on the West Bank. A particularly unprecedented proposal seeks an official UN statement rejecting Israel's presence on the West Bank and advocating for a policy of "differentiation" between the West Bank and the rest of Israel. Despite significant pressure from the Palestinian side, the European Union has failed to reach a consensus on a unified position regarding these resolutions. Intensive consultations between EU member states and the Palestinian delegation have occurred, but no agreement has been reached on the wording of the documents. Diplomatic sources suggest that the lack of a united European front is unlikely to deter the Palestinians from proceeding with their plans, potentially bringing the resolutions to a vote even without broad European support. Meanwhile, Israel's mission to the UN, led by Ambassador Dani Dayan, is actively working to influence the final text of the resolutions, aiming to soften their language and reduce the number of supporting states. Dayan stated that "they are trying to take advantage of the situation to challenge us from the UN podium," and that the Israeli delegation is collaborating with allies to counter this diplomatic effort.