The UN Security Council will likely vote on Monday on a resolution that would demand Israel to “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory,” Reuters news agency reported.

The draft was written by the United Arab Emirates in coordination with the Palestinians, according to diplomats.

Will the United Nations Finally Deliver Justice for Palestine?

This comes as Israel’s right-wing government headed by Benjamin Netanyahu approved nine new settlements in the occupied West Bank and announced the construction of dozens of homes on existing settlements.

In response, the US Secretary of State issued a statement along with the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom saying:

“We are deeply troubled by the Israeli government’s announcement that it is advancing nearly 10,000 settlement units and intends to begin a process to normalize nine outposts that were previously deemed illegal under Israeli law.”

“We strongly oppose these unilateral actions which will only serve to exacerbate tensions between Israelis and Palestinians and undermine efforts to achieve a negotiated two-state solution,” the statement continued.

Last week, a statement from Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party said that Israel would not stop building new settlements.

Jewish settlements are built on Palestinian land annexed by force and are illegal under international law.

(The New Arab, PC)