Thread by @EpshtainItay

On Monday, the @UN Security Council will address the implementation of #SCR2334, with @UNSCO_MEPP presenting the biannual implementation report. In the lead-up to the debate, @NRC_Norway briefed most Council Members; here is what I had stressed:

The resolution demanded that #Israel immediately and completely cease all
settlement activities in occupied #Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem,
and that it fully respects all of its legal obligations, including under the Fourth Geneva Convention #IHL.

In blatant disregard of the authoritative guidance of the #UNSC and peremptory norms of international law, consecutive #Israeli governments established 279 settlements, transferring 800K of its nationals to the territory of #Palestine; 1 out of 10 Israelis is now a settler.

During the first six months of 2022 alone, under the @yairlapid - @naftalibennett government, 2,525 settlement housing units were constructed - in grave breach of international law - introducing an additional 12,250 #Israeli settlers to occupied #Palestinian territory.

#IHL prohibits the transfer of an occupier's population to occupied territory for political and racial reasons or, as @ICRC holds, "to colonize those territories (...) transfers worsened the economic situation of the native population and endangered their separate existence."

Nevertheless, the #Israeli settlement population has increased by 53% since 2010, outstripping population growth in Israel proper. This is indicative of the deliberate and industrious acquisition of #Palestinian territory, and to the absolute detriment of the Palestinian people

#Israeli settlements are not established on "terra nullius" and are not expanded in a vacuum. Since #SCR2334 was adopted, 4,452 Palestinian structures in the path of perpetually expanding settlements were destroyed, disenfranchising 117,600 Palestinians.

To remedy the injury of #Israeli practices associated with settlement expansion, @eu_echo, @EUCouncil Member States, @DFID_UK, and @NorwayMFA provide communities at risk - through @NRC_Norway - with humanitarian relief. 972 such structures were destroyed since December 2016.

Since the beginning of the year, @ochaopt documented 327 # Palestinian-owned structures and those provided as humanitarian relief destroyed by #Israel. 91% of demolitions occurred within 3km of built-up settlements, as they continue to expand at the expense of Palestinians.

.@IsraelMFA @IsraelinUN were adamant that the Security Council does not hear this lucidly on Monday, but let us state the truth in this matter. The @yairlapid - @naftalibennett government had done more to put #Palestinians at risk of forcible transfer than previous governments:

According to @peacenowisrael, there was a 62% increase in settlement construction under the current government, and a 26% increase in settlement housing units planned, and likely to be populated in the nearby future. Plans allow for the transfer of an additional 25,000 settlers.

During the same period under @yairlapid and @naftalibennett, @ochaopt and @NRC_Norway documented a 35% increase in demolitions, compared with previous @netanyahu governments, and the prominence of mass forcible transfers (e.g. Humsa, Ras a-Tin, and Masafer Yatta).

With #Israeli settlements closing in on #Palestinian communities, we witnessed under the @yairlapid @naftalibennett government a 45% increase in settler violence directed against Palestinians and their property, with almost absolute impunity.

On Monday, @AlMissionUN will preside over the #UNSC as it reflects on #SCR2334 and the obligation it undertook to examine all available measures to secure its implementation (...)

We look forward to principled statements by concerned Members with whom we regularly engage: @franceonu @UKUN_NewYork @USUN @Brazil_UN_NY @IndiaUNNewYork @irishmissionun @KenyaMissionUN @MexOnu @NorwayUN @UAEMissionToUN @Palestine_UN

They could reflect the unvarnished truth of #Israeli perpetual occupation of #Palestinian territory: 7,292 settlement housing units planned a year (up 26% under @lapid, adding 35K settlers) and the corollary destruction of 641 Palestinian homes (up 35% under the same Lapid gov).

They could also reflect the state of international law. #Israel is violating peremptory norms of international law, including the prohibition on aggression, basic rules of international humanitarian law, and the right of #Palestinians to self-determination.

The legal consequences of internationally wrongful #Israeli behavior should be clearly communicated. States will not recognize, aid, or assist its wronging of #Palestinians and will cooperate to bring such conduct to a swift end. #ARSIWA

Appraising the efficacy of #SCR2334 leads to an inevitable conclusion. To date, it has not prevented #Israel from committing documented grave breaches of #IHL. Despite continuous attempts by @IsraelinUN @giladerdan1 to obfuscate and suppress, we come to the following conclusion:

#Israeli acts which #SCR2334 meant to prevent were not redressed, and rise to the level of acts of aggression, as defined in #UNGA resolution 3314 (1974): "The invasion or attack by the armed forces of a state of the territory of another state (...)

or any military occupation, however temporary, resulting from such invasion or attack, or any annexation by the use of force of the territory of another State or part thereof."

Was reminded that on this day, 75 years ago, nations came together united in strength to maintain international peace, security, and human rights. Is it too much to expect that such a will would appear again and nations take to resolve the question of Palestine?

What if tomorrow UNSC members instead of calling on @giladerdan1 @IsraelinUN - to no avail - to negotiate with @Palestine_UN the closing of a perpetual occupation that denies a people of their right to self determination, would offer conciliation, arbitration or judicial remedy?