Palestinians: Israeli Withdrawal by 2017

An Arab-backed draft resolution on ending Israel’s occupation of lands captured in 1967 was submitted to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, setting a deadline for the withdrawal of Israeli security forces by the end of 2017. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said the draft, sponsored by Jordan on behalf of Palestine, does not oppose further negotiations over the issue. The resolution calls for reaching a peace agreement within a year that “fulfills the vision of two independent democratic and prosperous states.” The U.S., which has previously vetoed measures targeting Israel, has declined to comment on whether it will use its veto power on the latest resolution.