Jordan to request emergency UN Security Council session to discuss Israeli housing plans
The Hashemite kingdom, which holds a non-permanent seat on the Security Council until next year, made the request on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.
By JPOST.COM STAFFJordan's King Abdullah (R) welcomes Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Royal Palace in Amman(photo credit: REUTERS)
Jordan is demanding that the UN Security Council convene an emergency session to discuss the Israeli government's recent announcement of plans to build new homes in contested areas of Jerusalem and the West Bank, according to Israel Radio.The Hashemite kingdom, which holds a non-permanent seat on the Security Council until next year, made the request on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.Palestinian media reported Monday that President Mahmoud Abbas requested that the UN Security Council hold an emergency session to stop Israel's building plans.The PA chief urged the UN to put an end to Israel's "violations in Jerusalem," and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, as well as its recent expansion of settlement activity.UN diplomats told Israel Radio that such a discussion at the Security Council is not expected to take place in the coming days.The Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, called on the international community to immediately put a stop to Israel’s “illegal settlement” in east Jerusalem and other areas.Jordan’s foreign minister, Nasser Judeh, said that Israel’s decision to advance construction plans in areas that lie beyond the 1967 Green Line constitute “a slap in the face to international efforts to restart negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians” as well as “a clear violation of Israel’s obligation as anchored in the peace treaty between the two countries.”Israel Radio is reporting on Tuesday that Judeh sent an urgent letter on the matter to US Secretary of State John Kerry, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and the foreign ministers of the other 14 members of the Security Council.
