No UN Vote Monday on Israel Settlements

NEW YORK (Reuters) — The United Arab Emirates told the U.N. Security Council that it will not call a vote on Monday on a draft resolution demanding Israel “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory,” according to a note seen by Reuters.

The UAE told council counterparts in the note sent on Sunday that it will now work on drafting a formal statement – known as a presidential statement (PRST) – which the 15-member council has to agree by consensus.

“Given the positive talks between the parties, we are now working on a draft PRST which would garner consensus,” the note said. “Accordingly, there will not be a vote on the draft resolution on Monday. Much of the language of the PRST will be drawn from the draft resolution.”

The United States on Thursday voiced deep dismay at Israel’s decision to expand Jewish communities in Yehuda and Shomron but also described as “unhelpful” a push for the U.N. Security Council to denounce the move.

The United Arab Emirates had on Wednesday circulated the text of a resolution to the Security Council that it had drafted in coordination with the Palestinians.

The move came after Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s government authorized nine Jewish outposts in Yehuda and Shomron and announced mass construction of new homes in established communities a week ago.

The United States traditionally shields its ally Israel at the United Nations. But in 2016 President Barack Obama’s administration abstained on a vote to allow the council to adopt a resolution demanding Israel stop building in the region. After the Israeli government’s announcement last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was “deeply troubled.”