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The truth behind the UN’s condemnation of Israel’s illegal settlements
If the US joining criticism of Israel's expansion into the West Bank at the UN sounds too good to be true, that is because it is — and Palestinians will not be tricked into celebrating this empty gesture, writes RAMZY BAROUD
Riyad Mansour (centre left), permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, and Ambassadors from other Member States hold a press briefing on March 1 2023 [UN Photo/Loey Felipe]

RARELY does the Palestinian ambassador to the UN make an official remark expressing happiness over any UN proceeding concerning the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

Yet the Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour is “very happy that there was a very strong united message from the security council against the illegal, unilateral measure” undertaken by the Israeli government.

The measure is a specific reference to a decision, on February 12, by the far-right government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to construct 10,000 new housing units in nine illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian West Bank.

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