Will the US allow a resolution on the Israel-Palestinian dispute at the UN? UN headquarters. Illustrative. By Joshua Spurlock
The United States is refusing to comment on a proposed French resolution to the UN Security Council that would lay out a “framework” on resolving the Israel-Palestinian conflict. A State Department official told The Mideast Update on background last week that “we are not going to comment on the draft of a UN Security Council resolution that hasn’t been circulated. We will carefully consider our future engagement at the UN if and when we reach that point, and determine how to most effectively advance the objective we all share in achieving a negotiated two state solution.”
Meanwhile, Foreign Policy is reporting that the US has asked the French to postpone such a resolution at least during the talks with Iran over the latter’s nuclear program. Foreign Policy reported that a diplomat said it was unclear when the US would be open to such a resolution on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. The US is one of five nations with veto power at the influential Security Council.
Haaretz reported that even Arab states are preaching the same “wait” message to France, concerned a French UN move on Israel would negatively impact the goal of reaching a deal with Iran.
Haaretz cited US President Barack Obama’s need to convince the US Congress—which tend to be strongly supportive of Israel—to back the Iran deal at this time.
Prior to these reports, the US State Department official told The Mideast Update on the subject of a reported French resolution that “we will continue to work with our partners, including the French, to advance the prospect for a two-state solution and provide a horizon of hope for Israelis and Palestinians.” The official said they would also oppose “all efforts that would undermine that goal.”
Recently, the French have indicated an interest in pushing a resolution on the Israel-Palestinian conflict in the Security Council. A UN press release on a recent Security Council meeting summarized comments from French Representative to the UN Francois Delattre as saying that the Security Council should create a “framework” for talks, while saying this isn’t about “imposing a solution” on the sides.
Israel has long opposed UN action on the issue, while the US has repeatedly said the only path to reaching a final settlement between Israel and the Palestinians is through negotiations between the sides and has critiqued the Palestinians for turning to the UN instead.
However, this time the US may have to decide if they’re wiling to use it’s veto to prevent Security Council action. At this time, they’re not saying what they plan to do.