Israel, the Palestinians, and the United Nations

In December of 2016, the U.N. Security Council passed Resolution 2334 by a vote of 14 to zero with the United States abstaining. It was a departure in policy by the Obama administration and it was a move that was opposed by many of us in Congress. The resolution states that Israel's settlement activity constitutes a "flagrant violation" of international law and has "no legal validity." It demands that Israel stop such activity and fulfill its obligations as an occupying power under the Fourth Geneva Convention. Some argue incorrectly that Resolution 2334 has no real practical impact; but those who make this argument fail to see 2334 as part of a larger agenda-one piece of a larger plan by the Palestinians to undermine, isolate, and delegitimize Israel. The real practical impact of 2334 is that it leaves the possibility of peace even more remote. But that is by design: Abu Mazen and the current Palestinian Authority (PA) leadership have abandoned any pretense that they are interested in making peace with Israel. The United States cannot continue to pursue a failed policy with the Palestinian Authority. The U.S. must reconsider current assistance programs for the PA and its relationship with Abu Mazen. It is past time for the U.S. to hold Abu Mazen and the Palestinian leadership accountable for its actions at the U.N., for its incitement of violence, and for its unwillingness to curb the violence and work with Israel to achieve a lasting peace.