(Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center) UN Security Council Resolution 2334, approved on Dec. 23, 2016, includes the issue of terrorism, but its weight is slight (as opposed to extensive dealing with the settlements, which are represented as the main obstacle to peace). Moreover, the terminology used is vague and does not explicitly refer to Palestinian terrorism or the Palestinian terrorist organizations (especially Hamas). By focusing on settlements, and not making explicit reference to Palestinian terrorism, the resolution strengthens the Palestinian claim that the settlements and not Palestinian terrorism are the main obstacles to peace and the two-state solution. On Dec. 28, 2016, John Kerry, the American secretary of state, represented the resolution as balanced. He said it "condemns violence and incitement." However, the resolution is not balanced. It expresses the fundamental Palestinian position focusing on the settlements, while making no clear reference to fighting Palestinian terrorism.
2017-01-02 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive