UN Security Council to Vote Monday on Call for Israel to Stop Settlement Activity

The United Nations (UN) Security Council will vote next Monday to urge Israel to stop settlement activity in the West Bank.

The Council is considering a draft resolution that would demand the Israeli occupation "immediate and complete cessation of all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories."

Diplomats said that the 15-member council is likely to vote next Monday on the draft, which was worded by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in coordination with the Palestinians.

Earlier, several countries expressed concern about the decision of the Israeli occupation government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu to allow the construction of nine settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, and the foreign ministers of four European countries joined Washington on Tuesday AND issued a joint statement expressing their concern about the plans announced by Israel last Sunday.

Last Sunday, Israel issued a retroactive permit to build nine settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, and announced the construction of new homes in existing settlements, prompting US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken to express his "deep disturbance" over this step.