Egypt, US discourage PA efforts at UNSC

Egypt and the US have warned Palestinians not to take steps at the UN Security Council until after the American presidential elections take place next month, Haaretz reported yesterday.

“Both Egypt and the United States have warned the Palestinian leadership not to advance any moves at the UN Security Council until after the US presidential election next month,” the paper said citing an unnamed “senior Palestinian official”.

According to the official, “the messages were sent both directly and indirectly to the Palestinian Authority, through Western and Arab intermediaries. The messages stressed that until the US election is over, Washington will veto any resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, including a denunciation of the settlements.”

“Senior Abbas aides”, the paper added, say Palestinian officials have not got the impression “that the US administration intends to launch any initiatives of its own on this issue or let alone approve a Security Council resolution.”

Earlier this week, the Palestinian foreign minister was reported to have said that the Palestinian Authority would continue in its efforts to have a UNSC resolution issued which stipulates halting the Israeli settlement activities immediately.