UNSC rejected resolution demanding end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories by 2017

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on 30 December 2014 rejected a resolution demanding an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories within three years, i.e. 2017.

For being adopted the resolution needed support of at least nine members of the 15-member UNSC. But the resolution succeeded in winning only eight votes.

Russia, China, Chad, Chile, France, Argentina, Jordan and Luxembourg voted in favour of the resolution. While, the US and Australia voted against it. On the other hand, UK, Lithuania, Nigeria, the Republic of Korea and Rwanda abstained from voting.

The motion on the resolution was submitted in UN by Jordan after it was agreed and supported by 22 Arab states and the Palestinian Authority.

Features of the Resolution
• The resolution sought Israel’s withdrawal from Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 and, within one year, for a negotiated solution to the conflict.
• It outlined a solution and vision of two independent, democratic and prosperous States — Israel and a sovereign, contiguous and viable State of Palestine.
• It also envisaged a just solution to the status of Jerusalem as the capital of the two States
• It also demanded resolution to the question of Palestinian refugees as well as to all other outstanding issues, including control of water resources and the fate of prisoners in Israeli jails
• It asked for that third-party presence in the security arrangements for the transition process