A new initiative spearheaded by the Palestinian Authority (PA) to expel Israel from the United Nations General Assembly is reportedly gaining momentum, sources familiar with the situation told Jewish Insider. The move seeks to follow a strategy used in 1974 to suspend South Africa by denying the apartheid regime diplomatic credentials, thus avoiding the U.N. Security Council and potentially moving forward through the U.N. Credentials Committee in December.
Despite expected opposition from the U.S., European countries, and possibly Russia, which fears a similar tactic could be applied against them, the Palestinians hold an automatic majority in the General Assembly, according to an Israeli diplomatic source.
Israel has signaled its intention to impose severe sanctions on the Palestinian Authority if this plan advances. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), after being briefed by U.N. and Israeli officials, warned that this move could lead to significant ramifications, including a breakdown in U.S.-Palestinian relations. Cruz cautioned that Israel’s suspension from the U.N. could prompt the U.S. to reevaluate its participation and funding of U.N. operations.
“Palestinian groups and other enemies of Israel are attempting to achieve diplomatically what they have failed to do militarily, which is to weaken Israel to a point where it can be attacked without consequence and ultimately destroyed,” Cruz stated. He emphasized that this effort could also endanger American national security interests.
In response to these growing concerns, U.S. Representatives Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) introduced bipartisan legislation in August. This legislation, backed by 35 co-sponsors, would cut off funding to any U.N. agency that expels or restricts Israel’s membership. While a Senate companion bill has yet to be filed, the proposed legislation reflects bipartisan concerns over increasing anti-Israel actions within the U.N.
Israeli Ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, condemned the Palestinian initiative, labeling it as “diplomatic terrorism” and criticizing the Palestinians for undermining diplomatic efforts. “This radical idea is baseless and proves that the Palestinians are not interested in any constructive efforts; they only aim to destroy all avenues of diplomacy,” Danon said.
This development comes just five months after the U.N. upgraded the Palestinian Authority’s status to an observer state, enabling the PA to introduce resolutions in the General Assembly. In a recent speech, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged the U.N. to strip Israel of its membership, citing Israel’s unwillingness to agree to a two-state solution and calling for the suspension of Israel’s membership until it complies with U.N. resolutions.
Last month, the U.N. General Assembly passed a nonbinding resolution urging Israel to end its “unlawful presence” in the West Bank and parts of Jerusalem. This resolution is based on an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which declared Israeli settlements illegal and called for immediate action to address the issue. The ICJ further advised that the U.N. and other international organizations should not recognize the legitimacy of Israel’s occupation in those territories.
The U.S. Mission to the United Nations and the White House have yet to comment on the matter.
