Full Breakdown
Israeli Ambassador Defends West Bank Settlements at UN Security Council
8/12/2026, 10:54:10 AM
UN Security Council Meeting on the West Bank (February 28, 2026)
On February 28, 2026, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Danny Danon, addressed the Security Council during a session focused on developments in the West Bank (also referred to as Judea and Samaria). The remarks came amid broader international debate over settlement activity and regional security.
Assertion of Permanent Settlement Presence
He rejected the characterization of the settlements as “temporary outposts” or obstacles to peace, insisting that they will “remain and continue to develop.”
Historical and Religious Rationale
Citing the Torah, Danon argued that Israel’s right to reside in the area is rooted in a “historical connection” that dates back to biblical times.
Claim of Double Standard in Addressing Violence
Danon accused the Security Council of applying a double standard. He said the body labels Israeli actions collectively as “settler violence” while, in his view, it refers only to individual perpetrators when “Palestinian radicals carry out attacks.” Danon alleged that “hundreds of Palestinian terrorist attacks” receive less attention, labeling the council’s approach “prejudice” rather than “justice.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Security Council must understand a simple truth: We are not going anywhere. Jewish communities will stay in Judea and Samaria,” — Danny Danon, ambassador
- “When Israelis are involved, this body uses a collective label, ‘settler violence.’ But when Palestinian radicals carry out attacks, you refer only to the ones responsible,” — Danny Danon, ambassador
- “Our right to live in our land is based on our historical connection to it. It is described in the Torah,” — Danny Danon, ambassador
- “The Security Council must recognize a simple truth: We are not going anywhere. The Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria will remain and continue to develop,” — Danny Danon, ambassador
These statements encapsulate Danon’s core arguments: the permanence of settlements, their historical-biblical justification, and his criticism of perceived bias in the council’s treatment of Israeli and Palestinian violence.
