The US negotiates with the Palestinians and Israelis a postponement of unilateral measures that could fuel tension

The PA could postpone a condemnation motion in the Security Council in exchange for a reduction in Israeli operations in the West Bank

19 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United States would have reached an agreement in principle with the Israelis and Palestinians so that both parties refrain from undertaking, for “several months”, according to sources close to the negotiations, unilateral measures that could fuel regional tension, such as the expansion of settlements or attacks against Israeli forces.

These negotiations, with a view to reducing tension in the West Bank during the month of Ramadan, have become a priority for US diplomacy and could come to fruition as soon as this coming Monday, when the Palestinian Authority could postpone a motion for a vote in the Security Council. UN security against the settlements in Israel, according to two Israeli sources close to the negotiations quoted by the Hebrew news portal Walla.

Instead, the Security Council could limit itself to preparing a symbolic and non-binding statement against the Palestinian attacks and Israel’s settlement-building policy.

In return, the Israeli government would agree to postpone the construction of new settlements, as well as planned demolitions of Palestinian homes built without permission in the West Bank, as well as limit military operations in Palestinian cities.

The outcome of the negotiations will be uncertain until the last moment, and a third Israeli diplomatic source indicates that plans to build new settlements are not yet immediate, as the planning committee will not meet for another three months.