The U.N. Security Council implored Israel and the Palestinians on Tuesday to refrain from actions that could further ignite tensions in the volatile West Bank. This statement, supported by both the United States and Russia, showed a rare moment of unity on a divisive issue, demonstrating the global concern for the escalating violence, particularly by Israeli forces and settlers.
The statement came after U.N. Mideast envoy Tor Wennesland reported “an alarming spike in violence” in the West Bank, resulting in numerous Palestinian and Israeli casualties. Wennesland cautioned the council that unless immediate action is taken to curb the violence, there is a significant risk of the situation worsening.
Wennesland expressed deep alarm over the “extreme levels of settler violence,” highlighting the systematic attacks on Palestinian villages, often carried out by armed settlers with the support of Israeli forces. Council members urged restraint and encouraged additional measures to restore peace and calm tensions.
This year has witnessed a surge in Palestinian casualties in the West Bank, with at least 137 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire. On the Israeli side, 24 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, voiced support for the council statement, emphasizing its shared concerns with Wennesland.
Amidst the escalating violence, the council criticized Israel’s far-right government for its plans to construct over 5,000 new homes in Jewish settlements in the West Bank and expedite settlement approvals. Under international law, all Israeli settlements in occupied territory are deemed illegal.
According to Wennesland, Israel’s relentless expansion of settlements is fueling the violence and impeding Palestinians’ access to their land and resources, altering the geography of the occupied West Bank, and posing a threat to the viability of a future Palestinian state.
The Russian U.N. Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, expressed serious concern about the escalating violence, including an Israeli raid on the Jenin Refugee Camp, clashes between Israeli settlers and Palestinians, and increased Israeli efforts to expand and legitimize settlements. He stressed the necessity of resuming negotiations for a two-state solution and called for a meeting with the Arab League and neighboring countries to revive stalled talks.
The Palestinian U.N. Ambassador, Riyad Mansour, accused the Israeli government of prioritizing settlers over the creation of a Palestinian state. Mansour expressed frustration at the lack of support for the Palestinians in reining in the settlers, despite having the moral high ground and international law on their side. He implored the council to demonstrate that help is on the way.
Israel’s U.N. Ambassador, Gilad Erdan, accused the council of downplaying the 3,500 attacks Palestinians have allegedly committed against Israelis this year. While condemning violence against Palestinian civilians, Erdan emphasized Israel’s dedication to identifying and holding accountable those responsible. He criticized the Palestinians for seeking the destruction of a Jewish state and warned that if Israel withdrew from the West Bank, Hamas would take control as it did in Gaza.
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