Apr. 12, 2016

• Even If U.S. Doesn’t Cast Veto, Palestinian UN Initiative Unlikely to Have Impact – Amb. Alan Baker interviewed by Lenny Ben-David
  Q: There are reports of a new Palestinian initiative for a UN Security Council resolution to condemn Israeli policies. What would such a resolution mean practically?
  Baker: “If such a resolution actually isn’t vetoed by the U.S., it won’t be the first time. In 1979 the Americans abstained on a resolution also declaring Israel’s settlements not to be valid. But the Security Council is not a legal body. It is not a body that makes law, and therefore, it’s not even a binding body. Therefore, such a resolution will have no basic effect.”
  Q: Will it lead to sanctions?
  Baker: “No, if the resolution isn’t mandatory according to the seventh chapter of the UN Charter. No Middle Eastern resolutions have been adopted according to the seventh chapter, so it can’t lead to sanctions.” Alan Baker served as legal adviser and deputy director-general of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs)