What It’s About
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has issued a stern warning to “break and dissolve” the Palestinian Authority if it pursues aggressive measures against Israel at the United Nations. Katz’s statement follows the Palestinian Authority’s submission of a draft resolution calling for Israel to comply with decisions of the International Court of Justice.
Why It Matters
This move underscores the tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Authority at diplomatic and international levels. The draft resolution, which includes severe demands on Israel, can potentially influence international views and policies against the state of Israel, making its geopolitical environment more challenging.
The Details
The draft resolution submitted by the PA to the General Assembly calls for Israel to withdraw from the territories within six months, end settlement activity, enforce sanctions on Israeli officials, and restrict arms sales to Israel when used in Palestinian areas. This comes in alignment with an ICJ decision, although non-binding, which criticizes Israel’s settlement policies.
As the vote on this veto approaches, Katz has spearheaded discussions regarding an Israeli response. He, with the help of other Israeli officials, stressed to international leaders the gravity of the situation, portraying the Palestinian moves as attempts to undermine peaceful negotiations and as rewarding terroristic behaviors.
Katz emphasized that any attack on Israel’s status can attract a strong response, including potentially severing all cooperation with the PA. UN Ambassador Danny Danon echoed this, forecasting severe sanctions if the resolution passes, highlighting that no international pressure can deter Israel from its primary mission to safeguard itself and retrieve hostages held by Hamas.
Context
This diplomatic friction follows a period of intensified conflict triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel, which killed approximately 1,200 Israeli citizens and led to the taking of 251 hostages. In response to these attacks, Israel commenced ground operations in Gaza, aiming to dismantle Hamas. The conflict has already resulted in a significant toll on both sides.
Despite wide-ranging international pressures, Israel firmly discusses the obligations and consequences for both the PA and UN member states regarding Judah and Samaria’s settlement areas. The Foreign Ministry has sought coordination with the U.S. and other allies to prepare calibrated measures against any final resolutions based on this draft, emphasizing Israel’s stance on the integrity and security of its borders.
What’s Next
With the vote set to be held in the coming week, significant international dialogue and diplomatic movements are expected as the Israeli government emphasizes its resilient security strategies and the need to counteract any detrimental portrayals fostered by the PA’s resolutions in international platforms.
Impact
If the resolution passes, it may trigger a surge of international criticism and political maneuvers affecting Israel’s relationships globally, especially with countries prone to backing PA’s measures. Moreover, Israel’s promised retaliatory measures could significantly alter the current status of cooperation and communication within the region, influencing the broader discourse on Middle-Eastern politics.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.