Danny Danon
Photo: Motti Kimchi
UN ambassador warns of 'further anti-Israel measures'
Danny Danon releases statement warning that the Security Council is likely 'to promote a last-minute initiative' before Donald Trump takes the reins from Barack Obama.
Israel's UN ambassador on Friday raised concern over what he said were moves at the Security Council to adopt a new measure to build on the Paris Middle East conference.
Sweden's Ambassador Olof Skoog, who holds this month's presidency of the Security Council, said however that there were no immediate plans for council action.
"We are witnessing an attempt to promote a last-minute initiative before the new US administration takes office," Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said in a statement. "Supporters of the Palestinians are looking for further anti-Israel measures at the Security Council."
French President François Hollande (L) and PM Manuel Valls (Photo: AFP)
The council is planning to meet on Tuesday to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, its first meeting since the adoption of a resolution demanding an end to the construction of settlements on Palestinian territory.
Asked about discussions on council action, Skoog said "I don't think that's correct." He added, "Let's see where we are next Tuesday; the main event now is Sunday's conference in Paris."
Amb. Danny Danon (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Around 70 countries and international organizations are to meet in Paris on Sunday to reaffirm support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, just days before Donald Trump takes office in the US.
The Paris meeting aims to revive the moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process, amid fears of fresh violence if Trump implements a pledge to recognize the contested city of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the Paris meeting as "a rigged conference, rigged by the Palestinians with French auspices to adopt additional anti-Israel stances."
