"We are not going anywhere": Israel's sharp message at the UN Security Council
At a special UN Security Council session, data was presented on over 1,400 incidents involving settlers and the advancement of about 12,360 housing units in Judea and Samaria. European countries warned against de facto annexation and the consideration of further steps.
The UN Security Council convened last night for a special discussion on the situation in Judea and Samaria, against the backdrop of intensifying international criticism regarding settler violence, settlement expansion, and moves that the UN and Europe claim are effectively promoting the "de facto annexation" of parts of the territory. The discussion was initiated by five European members of the Council — the UK, France, Denmark, Greece, and Latvia. During the session, data was presented on over 1,400 incidents involving settlers since the beginning of the year and the advancement of about 12,360 housing units. Israel rejected the framing of the information, arguing that the Council devotes excessive attention to violence by Jews while ignoring Palestinian terrorism.
Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, responded to the criticism with a sharp political message:
"The Security Council must internalize a simple truth: we are not going anywhere. The Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria will remain. These are not temporary outposts and are not an obstacle to peace — they are homes, families, strong and beautiful communities. Judea and Samaria is the place where our people's eternal connection to the Land of Israel began."
Danon specifically attacked the use of the term "settler violence," claiming it imposes collective responsibility on an entire public due to the actions of an extremist minority. He emphasized that Israel condemns such violence and employs police and security forces against perpetrators. He argued that the scope of attacks by Israeli extremists is on the decline, while the number of Palestinian terror attacks is rising.
Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, described the situation as an "emergency requiring urgent action." According to his data, since the beginning of 2026, incidents involving settlers have been recorded in more than 250 Palestinian communities, and about 3,800 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes.
The UK, France, and other nations expressed concern over construction plans in the E1 area, warning that it could "cut the West Bank in two" and harm the territorial continuity of a future Palestinian state. European representatives threatened to consider further steps, including sanctions and trade measures, if current trends continue.
The American delegation took a different stance, rejecting the claim that Israel allows violent settlers to act without interference and highlighting enforcement actions, arrests, and the reinforcement of security forces. Washington reiterated its opposition to annexation while refraining from supporting the accusations against Israel regarding complicity in violence.
