US Plans to Submit Resolution Against Israel's Control of West Bank
The Biden administration is reportedly preparing to submit a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council that opposes Israel's control over the West Bank, as revealed by the Israeli newspaper "Israel Today." According to an unnamed American source close to the administration, the resolution will assert that Israel's presence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem violates international law. The US National Security Council is currently drafting the resolution, although no official confirmation has been made by either the United States or Israel regarding this initiative.
This potential move by the Biden administration echoes a similar action taken by former President Barack Obama in December 2016, when the US abstained from vetoing a resolution that called for Israel to halt its settlements in the West Bank. Notably, many advisers from Obama's administration are now part of Biden's team, which may influence this new resolution.
Israeli Response and Ongoing Tensions
As tensions continue to rise, Israeli officials have expressed a lack of awareness regarding the US's intentions to pass such a resolution. A senior Israeli official responded with "Not yet" when asked about the American move. Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has been vocal about his plans to extend Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, stating that 2025 would be the year for this initiative. This declaration comes amid ongoing violence in the region, with reports indicating that the Israeli army has intensified operations in the West Bank, resulting in significant casualties among Palestinians.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has also reached alarming levels, with reports of over 148,000 Palestinian casualties since the outbreak of violence on October 7, 2023. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as the potential US resolution could further complicate the already tense relations between Israel and Palestine.
