Arabs endorse Palestinian U.N. draft urging end of Israel occupation

Arab UN delegations on Monday endorsed a Palestinian proposal to forge a peace deal with Israel within a year and end Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories by late 2017, despite fierce Israeli and U.S. opposition. The timing for a UN vote on a measure that faces almost certain defeat is unclear. Several Western council diplomats told Reuters they had been surprised by the Palestinians’ sudden push to submit a final draft resolution to the Nations Security Council on Monday and put it to a vote on Tuesday or Wednesday. Jordanian UN Ambassador Dina Kawar, the sole Arab representative on the council, told reporters all 22 Arab delegations endorsed the Palestinian proposal, and the Jordanians and Palestinians would consult immediately on “the best time to cast the vote in the Security Council.” Kawar previously said she would like a resolution that was backed by all 15 council members including the United States. A U.S. State Department spokesman said the Palestinian draft resolution was not constructive and failed to address Israel’s security needs.

Middle East