Israelis ‘Do Turn Other Cheek’ Following UNSC Resolution

Notably, Israeli media reports have disclosed information that says Jerusalem Local Planning and Construction Committee is expected to approve construction permits for hundreds of news housing units in East al-Quds (Jerusalem), an illegal move under international law.
 
The decision is seen as a flagrant defiance of the UNSC resolution which slams Israeli settlement construction on Palestinian territory.
 
According to Haaretz, the permits will be given for the building of 618 apartments across the ‘Green Line.”
 
Other media reports suggested that up to 5,600 units will be approved in response to the recently-adopted resolution.
 
The planning committee will approve 2,600 new housing units in the neighborhood of Gilo, another 2,600 units in Givat Hamatos, and 400 units in Ramat Shlomo, for a grand total of 5,600 units in East al-Quds, reported Israel Hayom. 
 
“We remain unfazed by the UN vote, or by any other entity that tries to dictate what we do in Jerusalem. I hope the Israeli government and the new US administration will support us, so we can make up for the lack [of construction] during the eight years of the Obama administration,” Deputy al-Quds Mayor Meir Turgeman who heads the zoning committee told Israel Hayom.
 
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned US Ambassador Daniel Shapiro on Sunday after Tel Aviv recalled 10 other ambassadors of UNSC members, including the UK.
 
The summoning of the US ambassador is considered to be an unusual move despite Tel Aviv’s rocky relations with the Obama administration. Washington’s support for the Israeli regime has been historically exhibited during UN votes where the US representative normally vetoes resolutions that oppose the Israelis’ colonial policies. The US abstention, although far from being a vote in favour of the resolution, has angered the Israelis who already dislike President Barack Obama.
 
Netanyahu criticized the Obama administration during the weekly cabinet meeting, claiming it had conspired with the Palestinians to let the vote pass.
 
“From the information that we have, we have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it [resolution], stood behind it, coordinated on the wording and demanded that it be passed,” Netanyahu told ministers on Sunday.
 
He also said that the Israelis are considering a “plan of action” against the UN.
 
For the time being, the suspension of a multimillion dollar contribution to several UN bodies has been announced as Tel Aviv reconsiders its relationship with the organization.
 
“I instructed the Foreign Ministry to complete within a month a re-evaluation of all our contacts with the United Nations, including the Israeli funding of UN institutions and the presence of UN representatives in Israel,” Netanyahu stated.
 
Furthermore, the disgruntled PM reportedly gave orders to his ministers to avoid traveling to the countries which voted in favour of the anti-settlement resolution.
 
Meanwhile, War Minister Avigdor Lieberman ordered Israeli occupation forces to “cease all cooperation with the Palestinians on civilian matters, while retaining security coordination, according to Israeli sources.”
 
According to a Haaretz report, Israeli authorities approved the construction of 1,506 housing units in 2016—a noticeable hike in recent years. The UN resolution was passed in a bid to halt illegal settlement construction on Palestinian land.
 
Despite this resolution, the Israelis are set to continue with their settlement expansion policy. This has been evident since the first official reaction was made public. Nevertheless, if the UNSC resolution is a slap on the Israelis’ face, Netanyahu has been clear that that Tel Aviv does not turn the other cheek. On the other hand, the Israeli settlement construction smites Palestinians’ rights, and yet they are expected to ‘resist not evil.’