Top Fatah official: UN resolution on Israeli settlements won't change anything
PA President Abbas told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday that the Palestinian leadership plans to submit a resolution to the UNSC.
By ADAM RASGONUpdated: SEPTEMBER 27, 2016 18:51Tawfiq Tirawi speaks during a news conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah(photo credit: REUTERS)
Tawfiq al-Tirawi, a Fatah Central Committee member, said that he opposes presenting a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution condemning settlements, placing himself at odds with the Palestinian leadership.“A resolution will not change anything on the ground. I don't accept the [idea] of UNSC resolutions. Perhaps they theoretically are a good thing, but tell me of one UNSC resolution in favor of the Palestinians that was implemented,” Tirawi, who previously served as PA General Intelligence chief, told The Jerusalem Post on Monday in his office in northern Ramallah.“There are tens of resolutions calling for the establishment of a Palestinian state and condemning the occupation, settlements, and taking prisoners, but not one of those resolutions was implemented.”Palestinian Authority President Abbas told the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday that the PA leadership plans to submit a resolution to the UNSC.“The settlements are illegal in every aspect and any manifestation. Therefore, we will continue to exert all efforts for a Security Council resolution on the settlements,” Abbas told the General Assembly. Tirawi’s opposition to a UN resolution condemning settlement is not the first time that he has stood against the position of the Palestinian leadership.In 2015, Tirawi told Maan News’ Editor-in-chief Nasser Liham that he does not support a two state solution, the official position of the Palestinian leadership.In 2011, former PA Prime Minister opposed the Palestinian leadership’s submission of a UNSC resolution condemning settlements, fearing it would undermine funding from donor nations.The 2011 resolution ultimately failed as the US vetoed it.The UNSC has historically adopted tens resolutions critical of Israel including its settlement activity. However, Israeli governments including the current government have successively advanced settlement construction in the West Bank.
Palestinian leaders have said that they will submit a UNSC resolution following the US elections in November, hoping that US President Barack Obama will not veto it.