The former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Danny Ayalon recently said he would not be surprised if US President Barack Obama did not use the US veto in the upcoming decision on the Palestinian state. “I do not doubt that President Obama will refrain from using the US veto to abort the draft resolution for the establishment of a Palestinian state and to end what he calls the Israeli occupation”.
Ayalon warned, “This is the crisis that is plaguing US-Israeli relations and it is rather unprecedented. The US’ position could result in increasing regional threats towards Israel”.
Ayalon called on both American and Israeli parties to work to restoring status quo of bilateral relations.
American newspaper, The Atlantic published an anonymous American politician’s statement on Wednesday, “Netanyahu is a coward and he will not carry out any attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. His only concern is remaining on the political scene and he will never do anything that could ensure a peace agreement with the Palestinians”.
The US National Security Council issued a statement emphasising that this quote was nothing more than an opinion published in a newspaper, and does not reflect the sentiments of the US government.
In response to the statements that were made on Wednesday Netanyahu said, “I appreciate our deep rooted and long lasting relationship with the United States. While it is true that since our establishment we have had our differences with them, these differences of opinion will never succeed in harming our relationship with one another.”
The US government’s official criticism of Israel happened after Department of State Spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, condemned Israel’s decision to expedite the construction of 1060 new settlement units in Jerusalem. Netanyahu responded by rejecting the US’ condemnation and insisting building in Jerusalem regardless would continue regardless.
Earlier this month, Palestinian officials issued a proposal to the UN Security Council outlining the termination of the Israel military occupation and the establishment of a Palestinian state by January 2016. The Security Council is one of the most important institutions within the United Nations and is responsible for keeping international peace and security in accordance with Chapter 8 of the Charter of the United Nations. The Security Council has legal authority over the governments of the Member States and considers that its decisions are binding for the Council’s Member States (as cited in Article 4 of the Charter).
The Council consists of five permanent members with veto power the Russian Federation, China, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. Their status as permanent members is due to the victories of the Second World War.