Terrorizing settlers and implementing Resolution 2334

Written by: Dr. Dalal Saeb Erekat

The existing occupation is implementing a systematic settlement project. Settlement is a crime and is the source of human rights violations in Palestine. Settler violence is constantly increasing and causing danger to the lives of Palestinians. Rather, settler terrorism is systematically harvesting young martyrs under the protection of the occupation soldiers. Condemnations have become vulgar and useless, and from here we will present today a resolution Security Council 2334, which was adopted on December 23, 2016. The resolution is important because it condemns settlement activity and calls for stopping it in the occupied Palestinian territory. Where 14 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution, while the United States alone abstained from voting and did not use the veto. This was considered a diplomatic success before Obama left the White House. The following is the text of the decision due to the importance of the details and the need to build on the provisions of the decision:

The Security Council, Recalling its relevant resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 446 (1979), 452 (1979), 465 (1980), 476 (1980), 478 (1980), 1397, (2002), 1515 (2003), and 1850 (2008), guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirming, inter alia, the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force.

Reaffirming the applicability of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of August 12, 1949, to the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, recalling the advisory opinion issued on July 9, 2004 by the Court of Justice, Justice International.

Reaffirming that all Israeli settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law and constitute a major obstacle to achieving peace on the basis of the two-State solution, and expressing grave concern that continued Israeli settlement activities endanger The feasibility of a two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.

Condemning all other measures aimed at changing the demographic composition, character and status of the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, including, inter alia, the construction and expansion of settlements, the transfer of Israeli settlers, the confiscation and de facto annexation of land, the demolition of homes and the forcible transfer of civilians Palestinians, in violation of international humanitarian law and relevant resolutions.

Recalling the commitment under the Quartet Road Map, endorsed by its resolution 1515 (2003), to Israel freezing all settlement activity, including “natural growth,” and dismantling all outposts established since March 2001, and condemning all acts of violence against civilians, , including acts of terrorism, as well as all acts of provocation, incitement and destruction. Reaffirming his vision of a region where two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace within secure and recognized borders, Taking note of the Quartet’s statement of July 1, 2016, and emphasizing its recommendations as well as its recent statements, in which the Quartet expressed, among other things, its strong opposition to continued settlement activities, stresses that the status quo is unsustainable, and that there is an urgent need for significant steps, In line with the transitional phase stipulated in previous agreements, to achieve stability in the situation and reverse the negative trends on the ground, which lead to the steady erosion of the two-state solution and the consolidation of the reality of one state, and in order to advance the two-state solution on the ground and create the appropriate conditions for the success of the final status negotiations.

Taking note also of the relevant reports of the Secretary-General, and emphasizing the urgent need to achieve, without delay, an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and a just, comprehensive and lasting peace on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions and the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for exchange Peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet Road Map:

1- Reaffirms that the Israeli settlements established in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, are illegal under international law and constitute a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-state solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace;

2- Reiterates its demand that Israel, the occupying Power, immediately and completely stop all settlement activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, and fully respect all its legal obligations in this regard. 3- Confirms that it will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 borders, including with regard to Jerusalem, except as agreed upon by the two parties.

4- Stresses that stopping all Israeli settlement activities is necessary to save the two-state solution, and calls for proven steps to be taken to reverse negative trends on the ground that endanger the two-state solution.

5- Affirms that all countries should not provide any assistance to Israel that is specifically used in settlement activities.

6- Calls for the prevention of all acts of violence against civilians, including acts of terrorism, as well as all acts of provocation, incitement and destruction, and calls for the accountability of all those responsible for the commission of all these illegal practices.

7- Calls on both parties to act on the basis of international law, including international humanitarian law, and their previous agreements and commitments, to remain calm and restrained, and to refrain from provocative actions, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric, with the aim of inter alia de-escalating the situation on the ground and rebuilding confidence Demonstrate, through policies and actions, sincere commitment to the two-state solution, and create the necessary conditions for the consolidation of peace.

8. Calls on all parties to continue, in the interest of promoting peace and security, to make collective efforts to launch credible negotiations on all final status issues in the Middle East peace process in accordance with the agreed terms of reference and within the timeframe set by the Quartet in its statement of September 21 2010.

9- Urges in this regard to intensify and accelerate international and regional diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving, without delay, an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of Land for peace, the Arab peace initiative and the road map, and points out in this regard the importance of the ongoing efforts to advance the Arab peace initiative, France's initiative to hold an international peace conference, the recent efforts of the Quartet, as well as the efforts of the Russian Federation and Egypt.

10- It affirms its determination to support the two parties during the negotiations and in the implementation of the agreement.

11- Reaffirms its determination to examine practical ways and means to ensure the full implementation of all its relevant decisions. 12- Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Security Council every 3 months on the implementation of the provisions of the current resolution.

Yes, there are more than 100 Security Council resolutions and more than 800 General Assembly resolutions to protect Palestinian rights. The United Nations Human Rights Council has always called on member states to stop all commercial and economic activities in the settlements. He stressed that export and various commercial operations constitute a major source of income for the settlements and their expansion, and that the establishment of commercial relations by organizations and countries is prohibited by the state parties and negatively affects the humanitarian conditions in Palestine.

The occupation’s violations in their entirety, from settlement to displacement to land confiscation to field executions and deliberate killing of families, are all crimes that are committed deliberately, repeatedly and systematically with the aim of stripping the Palestinians of their most basic human and political rights. The international system must be called upon to review this decision and hold the occupying power accountable for its crimes. repetitive and systematic. Resolution 2334 is inclusive of rights, except for the right of refugees to return and compensation under Resolution 194. The Palestinians must confront settler terrorism in all ways that guarantee the right of peoples to defend themselves diplomatically, by building on Resolution 2334 and creating momentum to demand the Secretary-General and member states to implement the provisions of this resolution and fully implement it. The Palestinians should not accept more condemnations, denunciations, and verbal rejections that do not stop the crimes of the occupation, but rather provide cover for them through international silence and non-implementation of such decisions.

Dalal Erekat: Professor of Diplomacy and Strategic Planning, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Arab American University.