US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations, Richard Mills, condemned Israeli “settler violence” to the UN Security Council on Monday. 

Ironically, he began by outlining the many acts of Palestinian violence, which he did not refer to again.

“The United States has repeatedly registered our outrage over the string of terrorist attacks against Israelis this year,” Mills began. “And we condemn the rocket attacks launched from the Gaza Strip again this month, which – as you note – broke a two-month pause in rocket fire from Gaza. Many Israelis, especially those who reside close to the border with Gaza, live in perpetual fear that they or their families could come under attack at any time. This must stop.”

He then focused on “settler violence,” citing one case.

“We also deplore the escalation of settler violence against Palestinians, including the death of Ali Hassan Harb, a Palestinian in the West Bank who was killed on his family’s agricultural land,” Mills said.

Harb was killed last Tuesday after he and several other Arabs attacked a group of Jews, allegedly for attempting to set up a Jewish settlement. Mills failed to mention that Hamas claimed Harb as a member. An Israeli man was arrested, and the incident is still under investigation. It is unclear what additional action Mills expected from Israel.

“We are also deeply concerned about the potential evictions at Masafer Yatta, which were upheld by Israel’s Supreme Court, and we urge that these evictions not take place,” Mills said.

The Israeli Supreme Court determined that Arabs did not begin building in the area until the 1980s, after the area was declared an IDF Firing Zone. Previous to that, there were signs of temporary Bedouin encampments.

Mills emphasized the US commitment to a “two-state solution.” This “solution” would create an unprecedented Palestinian state inside Israel that has been ethnically cleansed of Jews and its capital in Jerusalem. The holy sites would be accessible exclusively to Muslims.

Mills stated that the only obstacle to a negotiated peace between the Palestinians and Israel is “settlement activity, demolitions, incitement to violence, and evictions.” He failed to acknowledge that Palestinian violence was an obstacle to the “two-state solution.”

“President Biden will travel to the region in July to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to urge calm and explore ways to promote equal measures of security, freedom, and opportunity for both Israelis and Palestinians,” Mills said. “The current U.S. administration continues to affirm its strong support for a two-state solution, which remains the best way to ensure Israel’s future as a democratic and Jewish state alongside a sovereign, viable Palestinian state.”

He then cited the death of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh who was shot while in the crossfire between IDF troops and Palestinian terrorists in Jenin last month. Many sources have blamed Israel for her death, but the PA has obstructed any investigation into her death.

He then cited the “food insecurity” faced by “1.8 million Palestinian refugees” and the efforts by UNRWA to resolve this. It is important to note that UNRWA defines a Palestinian refugee as persons whose regular place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948, as well as their descendants. This multi-generational definition is unique to UNRWA. The actual number of Palestinian refugees is less than 30,000.