UAE Cancels U.N. Vote on Israel's Settlements

"The United Arab Emirates told the UN Security Council that it will not call a vote on Monday on a draft resolution demanding Israel ‘immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory,’ according to a note seen by Reuters.

‘Given the positive talks between the parties, we are now working on a draft PRST [presidential statement] which would garner consensus,’ the note, send on Sunday, said.

‘Accordingly, there will not be a vote on the draft resolution on Monday. Much of the language of the PRST will be drawn from the draft resolution.’

The text of the resolution ‘reaffirms that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law.’

It also condemns all attempts at annexation, including decisions and measures by Israel regarding settlements.

The Emirates' announcement is a significant achievement for the Biden administration, which has exerted heavy pressure on the Palestinian Authority and Israel in recent days with the aim of reaching an understanding that would lower the flames and set forth calm on a number of fronts, for fear of escalation ahead of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan.

The contacts included a promise by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas not to turn to the United Nations, and in return Israel would freeze the plans it had announced.

Senior officials in the Palestinian Authority who were involved in the talks on the proposed resolution in the Security Council reportedly received messages from the administration in Washington that the U.S. intended to veto any resolution that condemned Israel, and therefore a proposal to issue a statement by the presidency of the Security Council with the consent of the Americans was born..."