US blocks all resolutions on Palestine: Russia at UNSC

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Feb 23:33
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Polyansky: any just resolutions in favor of Palestine would harm the Arab-Israeli normalization initiative promoted by the US

A general view of the West Bank Israeli settlement of "Efrat", occupied Palestine, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023 (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

Russian envoy to the UN Dmitry Polyansky slammed the US for vetoing any resolution in favor of Palestinians at the UN Security Council.

The diplomat explained that any just resolutions in favor of Palestine would harm the Arab-Israeli normalization initiative promoted by the US.

"We regret that this is something that is being pushed forward by Washington in the UN Security Council as well, where the US is doing everything it can to ensure that any decisions that are necessary for the Palestinians are not taken," Polyansky said at a session of the UN Security Council.

"We view attempts to usurp the external support of the contacts of parties [Palestine] as counterproductive and something that runs counter to the fundamental interests of the two peoples. We believe the US' actions blocking all ways to assist the Middle East peace process to be particularly destructive and the desire to change the situation by using economics as destructive too, to substitute real political peace with an economic one," he added.

The UN Security Council issued a statement made earlier in the day by the council chairman who voiced his concerns over Israeli intentions to continue expanding settlement construction in the occupied West Bank.

No resolution was approved, however. US news outlet Axios, citing Israeli and American sources, reported that the Palestinian Authority revoked attempts of moving the resolution towards voting procedures after being pressured by the US.

During the same session, Polyansky also condemned "Israel's" decision to expand settlements in the Syrian Golan heights and the Jordan Valley describing it as "defacto annexation".

"The Israeli intention to double the number of settlers living in the Jordan Valley as well as in the Syrian Golan Heights by 2026 can be deemed as de facto annexation of most of the occupied Palestinian and Syrian territories," Polyansky said.

Additionally, Polyansky denounced the recent Israeli airstrikes on Damascus and urged all parties to exercise restraint to prevent further escalation of hostilities, especially before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.