US blocks third draft United Nations statement

The US on Monday blocked - for the third time in a week - the adoption of a joint UN Security Council statement calling for a halt to Israeli-Palestinian violence and the protection of civilians, diplomats said.

The text drafted by China, Tunisia and Norway was submitted late on Sunday for approval on Monday by the council’s 15 members.

The United States indicated that they “could not currently support an expression” by the UN Security Council, one diplomat told AFP.

The text, obtained by AFP, called for “de-escalation of the situation, cessation of violence and respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians, especially children”.

Much earlier, China suggested a “two-state solution” and urged America to shoulder its responsibilities in stopping the escalating Israel-Palestine tensions at a UN Security Council meeting on Sunday.

Putting forward a proposal, Chinese state councillor and foreign minister, Wang Yi, said a “a two-state” solution was the “fundamental way out”.

Wang was quoted as saying by Chinese media that Beijing supports the two sides resuming peace talks based on a “two-state solution”, while it also backs the establishing of an independent State of Palestine that enjoys sovereignty with East Jerusalem as its capital.