Palestinians draft UN resolutions condemning E1 settlement plans
European nations have failed to reach a consensus on the proposed texts, which include demands for property protections and a formal non-recognition of Israel's West Bank presence.
By Rosa Fuentes ·
The Palestinian delegation to the United Nations is negotiating draft resolutions with European allies that would condemn Israel's E1 settlement plan and declare that the UN does not recognize Israel's presence in the West Bank. Ynet reported on Friday that the texts also seek to establish a policy of differentiation between the West Bank and the rest of Israel.
The proposed measures ask for UN commitments to protect Palestinian property and income sources in the West Bank. The drafts remain under negotiation between the Palestinian delegation and European Union member states. The goal is to secure broader international assistance for Palestinians while formally challenging the current settlement trajectory.
European unity on the issue has fractured. The 27 EU member states failed to reach a consensus on supporting the resolutions after a week of internal consultations. The Palestinian delegation is expected to consider bringing the drafts to a vote even without broad European backing. This move signals a willingness to push the agenda forward despite the lack of unanimous support from traditional allies.
Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, characterized the effort as a diplomatic attack. He said the Palestinian delegation was attempting to exploit the current political situation to challenge Israel from the UN podium. The Israeli mission is working behind the scenes with allied nations to soften the wording of the proposed texts and reduce the number of supporting countries.
The diplomatic push occurs amid heightened scrutiny of settlement activity and violence in the West Bank. In October, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs recorded at least 160 attacks on Palestinians by extremist settlers during the first two weeks of the olive harvest. The office reported that the Israel Defense Forces and border police protected settlers and occasionally participated in attacks on Palestinian property.
A separate UN Commission of Inquiry documented a rise in Palestinian deaths in the West Bank. The report stated that nearly 500 Palestinians have been killed annually since 2022, the highest numbers recorded since the UN began collecting data in 2005. In a September briefing, UN acting Middle East peace envoy Ramiz Alakbarov strongly condemned the E1 plan, noting it would sever the connection between the northern and southern West Bank and further isolate east Jerusalem.
Danon maintains that Israel must remain engaged with the UN rather than withdrawing. He described the organization as a platform to incite against Israel but argued that Israel's presence is necessary to counter accusations. The Israeli mission is encouraging more Israelis to apply for professional positions within the UN to ensure the Israeli voice is heard in the meeting rooms where decisions are made.
