Security Council Denounces Israel's Settlement Expansion Plans in Occupied Territories

The Security Council strongly emphasises the need for all parties to uphold their international commitments and obligations, strongly opposes all unilateral actions that obstruct peace, including, among other things, Israeli settlement construction and expansion, confiscation of Palestinian lands, and the legitimate legalisation of settlement outposts, according to the statement, which was read by Malta's UN representative and the council's president for the month of February, Vanessa Frazier.

The statement also called for "all parties to observe calm and restraint and to refrain from provocative actions, incitement, and inflammatory rhetoric, with the aim, among other things, of escalating the situation on the ground" and condemned all acts of violence against civilians, including those that have targeted Palestinians and Israelis.