Palestinian Authority seeks EU backing for UN resolutions targeting Israeli policies in Judea and Samaria

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has reportedly urged the European Union (EU) to back multiple UN resolutions critical of Israeli policies in Judea and Samaria, also known as the West Bank.

Specifically, the PA is seeking condemnation of Jewish communities in the area and Israel’s plans to expand them in the E1 area east of Jerusalem. The PA and its international supporters argue that Israeli construction there would make it harder to establish a Palestinian state with connected territory. Israeli officials reject this claim, saying there is enough territory east of E1 to preserve Palestinian territorial continuity.

The PA mission is also seeking condemnation of Israel’s control of East Jerusalem and what it describes as Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War. The PA is also reportedly demanding a policy of “differentiation” between Judea and Samaria and the rest of Israel.

The EU has repeatedly criticized Israeli construction in Judea and Samaria, arguing that the territory is illegally occupied. Israel rejects this position, maintaining that the territory is disputed rather than occupied. However, it remains unclear whether the PA mission will secure European support for the proposed resolutions. EU member states remain divided, with countries such as Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic generally more supportive of Israel. The 27-member bloc has reportedly failed to reach a consensus on the Israel- and PA-related issues.

Israeli diplomats are working to soften the language of the proposed resolutions, which are expected to pass by a large majority in the UN General Assembly (UNGA). While the UNGA passes multiple resolutions critical of Israel every year, they are not legally binding.

Israel’s UN mission views the PA’s new move as a diplomatic attack on the Jewish state’s international standing.

“They are trying to exploit the situation to challenge us from the UN podium,” said Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon. “The Israeli delegation is working closely with our allies to confront this diplomatic attack,” he added.

Looking ahead, Danon called for more Israeli nationals to work within the UN system and speak on behalf of the Jewish state.

“Especially at a time when we are fighting antisemitism and bias against Israel within the organization’s institutions, it is important that more Israelis take on meaningful roles within the system,” Danon told The Jerusalem Post.

“The Israeli voice should be heard not only from the UN podium, but also in the corridors and meeting rooms where decisions are made.”