US Breaks with Security Council Members on Israeli Settler Violence
Hamilton, Canada — The United States on Tuesday broke with most members of the UN Security Council by declining to condemn Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank. Washington also opposed regular briefings on UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which addresses Israel’s illegal settlement activity.
By contrast, several council members—including Slovenia, France, Algeria, Russia, China, Denmark, Pakistan, and Guyana—urged Israel to halt settlement expansion and comply with international law.
US Rejects Focus on Resolution 2334
US envoy Jennifer Locetta, the State Department’s alternate representative for special political affairs, said the United States opposes quarterly briefings on Resolution 2334. She argued that such discussions divert attention from more urgent global security threats.
Locetta also accused the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, of links to Hamas. She claimed the agency fails to apply adequate accountability standards when vetting staff and partners.
Instead, she said Resolution 2803, adopted last month to endorse the October Gaza peace plan agreed to by Israel and Hamas, provides a clearer path toward regional stability. She added that the United States is working with partners to establish an international stabilization force and train vetted Palestinian police units.
At the same time, Locetta said Washington remains committed to Israel’s security and regional stability. She stressed that President Donald Trump expects violence in the West Bank to end and opposes any annexation of the territory.
Council Members Voice Strong Opposition
Other Security Council members strongly disagreed with the US position.
Slovenia’s UN envoy Samuel Zbogar warned that annexation is accelerating in the West Bank. He also condemned Israeli authorities for forcibly entering the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem, seizing property, and removing the UN flag. “For now, peace is nowhere near,” he said.
France’s UN Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont echoed these concerns. He condemned settlement expansion and rejected any form of West Bank annexation. He also described threats against UNRWA operations in East Jerusalem as unacceptable and contrary to international law.
Calls for Action and Accountability
Algeria’s UN envoy Amar Bendjama criticized Israel’s continued non-compliance with Resolution 2334. He also condemned the international community’s failure to act, citing plans to demolish dozens of Palestinian homes as part of what he called a routine occupation policy.
Russia’s deputy UN envoy Dmitry Polyanskiy said the ceasefire in Gaza has not improved conditions in the West Bank. He pointed to frequent military raids and ongoing operations in areas such as Tubas and Jenin. He also called for renewed efforts toward a two-state solution and urged Israel to release withheld Palestinian tax revenues.
Broad International Condemnation
China’s UN Ambassador Fu Cong urged Israel to end illegal settlement activity and warned against ignoring developments in the West Bank. He said unilateral actions that violate international law must stop immediately.
Denmark’s UN Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen cautioned that settlement expansion undermines the future territorial integrity of a Palestinian state. She called for an end to settler violence and all illegal settlement activity.
Pakistan’s UN envoy Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said Israel’s occupation must end and reaffirmed Palestinians’ right to self-determination. He stressed that settlement activity and demographic changes in occupied territories are illegal and must be reversed.
Guyana’s UN Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett also condemned Israel’s actions against UNRWA in East Jerusalem. She urged the council to take concrete steps to protect civilians in the West Bank and halt escalating violence.
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