Israel poses challenge to UN by approving settlements: Analyst

Officials of Israeli regime have approved the construction of hundreds of new Israeli settler units in East Jerusalem al-Quds, despite international calls to end the unlawful practice, including by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

The new approvals came despite a UNSC resolution in December last year condemning all Israeli settlement construction on occupied Palestinian territories. The approval of the new settlements is seen as defiance of the Security Council.

Saeed Nimer, professor of political science at Birzeit University, believes Israel has always been defying the international community and has never abided by the United Nations resolutions since its creation.  

“[In the case of] the last United Nations resolution, which condemned the settlements and considered them as illegal, Israel … did not respond to this kind of resolution [at all] and immediately declared a new batch of settlements to be built in Jerusalem and in the West Bank,” the academic told Press TV in an interview on Sunday.

He went on to say that Israel is posing a “continuing challenge” to the United Nations by approving the construction of more settlements.

Nimer also noted that the right-wing regime in Israel “consists mainly of settlers,” adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is going along with their demands by approving new settlement units.

He further stated that the UNSC Resolution 2334 only condemns the construction of Israeli settlements, but it does not take any action against them. Therefore, he said, it is up to the countries in the world to start applying pressure on Israel by boycotting its products.  

The academic also criticized the international community for not taking any concrete action against Israel in spite of the United Nations resolution.

He asserted that Israel considers itself above international law, arguing that it is about time that the world starts reducing its relationship with Tel Aviv in order to show that the international community needs to be respected.

Nimer further predicted that US President Donald Trump will be a “big supporter” of the Israeli regime.

He also opined that Trump’s comments about moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to East Jerusalem al-Quds will be perceived as a green light for building settlements in the occupied city.

“I think they [the Israelis] are counting on the American silence at least, or even encouragement for the settlements, but not to take any actions or even to criticize the building of settlements in the West Bank and particularly in Jerusalem [al-Quds],” he said in conclusion.

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