The United Nations Security Council held a closed-door meeting on Israel’s announced intension to build thousands of additional housing units in Israeli West Bank settlements. Swedish Ambassador to the UN Olof Skoog called on the countries to condemn Israel, saying that members of the Security Council were concerned by unilateral actions that would distance the two-state solution. Nevertheless, the Security Council did not adopt any resolutions against Israel.
Germany condemned Israel’s plan to authorize the construction of 2,500 housing units in Judea and Samaria. German Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Martin Schaefer said that the German government doubted Israel’s commitment to the two-state solution and to making peace with the Palestinians.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned Israel last night that there would be grave ramifications if Israel were to follow through with the construction of the thousands of housing units on lands the Palestinian demand for their future state, stressing that the Palestinians would take steps to prevent construction and were consulting the matter with international and Arab officials.