The US veto power and the violation of Palestinians’ property rights and freedom of movement

The US has also vetoed resolutions that contained violations of freedom of religion and respect for other religions. These resolutions condemned any action that leads to the desecration or destruction of holy sites and religious places in Jerusalem. They also emphasized the special status of Jerusalem and the need to protect and preserve the religious significance of the holy sites in that city. They strongly rejected provocative activities that violated the sanctity of the Holy Shrine in Jerusalem and called on Israel to comply with international law norms regarding military occupation, especially the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Also, Israel’s policies regarding the violation of the human rights of Palestinians in the occupied territories, and especially the Israeli army’s opening fire, which leads to the killing and wounding of defenseless Palestinians; were condemned. In continuation of veto resolutions; The June 1989 draft resolution was also vetoed. This draft expressed its concern about the increasing problems of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories and condemned the violation of their rights. It also asked Israel to stop expelling Palestinians from the occupied territories and requested their safe and immediate return.

Vetoing these resolutions did not discourage the international community and many times despite the possibility of veto, which happened the same way; they resorted to presenting new drafts to the Security Council and reminded the previous issues in various ways. For example, in the vetoed resolution of November 1989, which considered the inalienable rights of all peoples under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; it expressed strong opposition to Israel’s policies in violating the rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories and especially the illegal expropriation of their property in Beit Sahour. It expressed regret and asked Israel to return the expropriated property to the owners.

In 1997, two other resolutions were prepared and vetoed again. One was the March 1997 resolution proposed by France; Portugal; Sweden; and Great Britain to the Security Council that expressed their deep concern about the Israeli government’s decision to build houses in Jabal Abu Ghanim and encourage settlement building. It also emphasized that illegal settlements; were an obstacle to peace and emphasized that Israel’s legal and administrative actions that led to changing the status of Jerusalem; including expropriation of the lands there; were illegal and invalid and asked Israel to stop its actions, including construction activities that led to changes in the land situation and were an obstacle to negotiations and had a negative impact on the Middle East peace process. This process of vetoing resolutions in the field of dispossession of Palestinians; their expulsion and settlement of Jews; continued in the 21st century. The September 2003 resolution, on the illegal expulsion of any Palestinian by Israel and confirming its opposition to any expulsion; was reiterated.