PALESTINE UN: the colonies, an ‘obstacle’ to peace. But Israel thinks about reforming justice

The Security Council approved a timid condemnation of expansionist policies. A note less critical than expected, which the Israeli government responded by also criticizing the United States. The Knesset approved the reform in first reading, “a great day” for Netanyahu. However, a poll shows that the majority of citizens are opposed.

Jerusalem () – The United Nations is discussing the settlements and the Security Council has timidly condemned the policies of occupation and expansionism, defined as an “obstacle” to peace between Israelis and Palestinians. But attention in the country is completely focused on the controversial justice reform, a top priority for the government of Benjamin Netanyahu that is opposed by the judiciary and which led tens of thousands of citizens to demonstrate. Overnight, despite President Isaac Herzog’s (vain) call for mediation and the contrary opinion of the majority of citizens, the Knesset voted to advance the approval process in its first session, much to the satisfaction of the Prime Minister. Minister and the majority.

Yesterday the position adopted by the UN Security Council was known, which, for the first time in six years, denounced the Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories in a statement, which, however, seemed less critical than expected in its form and content. “Israel’s continued occupation activities jeopardize the viability of a two-state solution,” the council said in a presidential note, which was approved with the consensus of all 15 members but did not have the binding scope of a resolution, as originally envisioned. The Council, it continued, opposes “unilateral measures” that include “the construction and expansion of settlements, the confiscation of land, the demolition of homes and the displacement of Palestinian civilians.”

The executive’s response was immediate, which in a note from the prime minister’s cabinet spoke of a “unilateral declaration that denies the right of Jews to live in their historic homeland” and at the same time “ignores” “terrorist attacks “in Jerusalem. He also criticized Washington, because “the United States – the note concluded – should never have aligned itself with the text.” However, behind-the-scenes talks between US, Israeli and Palestinian officials led to the Jewish state deciding to halt construction of new settlements “for the next few months.” Last week, Israel had announced the legalization of nine outposts and had approved the construction of nearly 10,000 new housing units in existing settlements.

The game for the colonies, of greater international interest, actually fades into the background in the country, where attention is focused on the justice reform, which the Knesset approved in first reading (although the process is long and its final approval will take months). During the night, the parliamentarians preliminarily voted on the reform, to the evident satisfaction of Netanyahu who wrote: “a great night and a great day”, without addressing the massive street protests of recent weeks and criticism from the opposition, which promises battle . The document was approved with 64 votes in favor out of a total of 120; meanwhile, opposition leader Yair Lapid announced the increase in protests in the “fight for the soul of the homeland.”

That the issue is controversial and that the government is forcing its hand is also clear from a survey published today by the Times of Israel, according to which 66% of citizens are against a reduction in the role of the Supreme Court, including almost half of Netanyahu’s Likud voters. And more than half of the electorate, say experts from the Israel Democracy Institute, opposes each of the main points targeted by the reform. Finally, 70% of Israelis call for a constructive dialogue in an attempt to reach a compromise, echoing President Herzog’s invitation, with a figure of 60% of majority voters and 84% of those in the opposition.