2014-12-31 09:47:00

UN Security Council rejects draft resolution on Palestine


(Vatican Radio) A draft resolution on ending the Israeli occupation of the occupied Palestinian Territory by the end of 2017 was rejected on Tuesday by the United Nations Security Council.

Earlier this month, Jordan submitted the proposal which called to reach within 12 months, an end to what it called "the Israeli occupation since 1967".  The proposal also called for the creation two independent and democratic states, Israel and a sovereign state of Palestine.

Listen to our report:

The Ambassador of the United States to the UN, Samantha Power, explained why her country, which holds a veto in the Council, voted against the proposal.

“Regrettably, instead of giving voice to the aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis, this text addresses the concerns of only one side,” said Powers.  “It is deeply imbalanced and contains many elements that are not conducive to negotiations between the parties including unconstructive deadlines that take no account of Israel's legitimate security concerns.”

Meanwhile, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Riyad Mansour, called on the UN to help achieve a Palestinian state.

“How long do we have to wait?” Mansour asked.

Jordan said it would continue to press the United Nations to achieve a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.








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