Draft Israel-Palestinian Resolution Elicits Mixed Reaction

Russia said Friday that New Zealand should move forward with a draft U.N. resolution aimed at reviving the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, but Israel says it’s “destructive” and the Palestinians say it’s not tough enough.

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said Moscow has always maintained that the U.N.’s most powerful body “should get closer involved.”

“I think we should seriously look at it,” he told reporters. “I don’t see anything controversial about that text.”

The deeply divided Security Council has not adopted a resolution on the conflict in six years.

The New Zealand draft resolution notes “with alarm the escalating cycle of violence” between Israel and the Palestinians. It declares that a two-state solution, achieved through direct negotiations, is the only path to peace, and it calls on both parties, backed by key international players, to take steps to end violence and incitement and rebuild trust.

It calls on both sides to refrain from “provocative acts.”

Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon was dismissive, calling the proposed resolution “destructive instead of being constructive.” He said “the only way to achieve peace is through direct talks between the parties,” which Israel has called for.

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour supported New Zealand’s efforts but said the resolution doesn’t address the need of Palestinian civilians for international protection…”

This article appeared in print on page 8 of the November 2nd, 2015 edition of Hamodia.