PA (Palestinian Authority) officials have turned to the United Nations Security Council seeking to have the international body compel Israel “to end the occupation of PA areas that began in 1967”. PA leader Abu Mazen has set November 2016 as the deadline for such a move, demanding Israel withdraw from all areas that were liberated in the June 1967 Six Day War.

The Jordanian representative to the UN will be officially submitting the motion on behalf of Ramallah in the coming weeks. The daily Yisrael Hayom quotes a “senior PA official” anonymously confirming that efforts are underway to secure a majority for the draft among Security Council member nations. In the event the motion is passed and then vetoed by the United States, the PA will then take its case to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

In a Wednesday 7 Tishrei press conference held in Ramallah, Abu Mazen announced the PA has begun taking unilateral measures towards the establishment of the State of Palestine. The PA leader explained that if the motion is passed by the Security Council, which he expects will be the case, and the US vetoes the move, he will cut off relations with Israel and freeze security cooperation with Israel.

When asked if the PA will then resume the armed conflict, he responded “there is no need for another intifada and I will not permit firing a single bullet at Israel. Our struggle will take place in the political arena only”.

In his response to Abu Mazen’s statements, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman stated Abu Mazen’s turning to the UN will not advance ending the conflict, not even by one centimeter.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)