French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. PHOTO: Wikipedia

JNS.org – France is planning to launch a push for a United Nations Security Council resolution that will lay out the parameters for ending the Arab-Israeli conflict.

“We have said that these parameters have to be defined and recognized by the Security Council and that obviously the two parties have to discuss, but the discussion will be accompanied by an international effort,” French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Friday, Reuters reported.

France, along with the United Kingdom and Germany, drafted a Security Council resolution late last year after the council voted against a Palestinian-initiated resolution calling for Israeli withdrawal from the disputed territories by 2017. But those countries decided to table the resolution until after the recent Israeli election.

The United States voted against the Palestinian-initiated resolution, but President Barack Obama has indicated that the U.S. may “reassess” its options regarding Israel in the U.N.

“I hope that the partners who were reluctant will not be reluctant anymore,” said Fabius, apparently referring to the U.S.

But on Friday, the U.S. sharply criticized the U.N. Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for continuing to single out Israel for criticism.

“We are disappointed that this council continually singles out Israel for criticism without acknowledging the violent attacks directed at its people, nor the obligations and difficult steps required of both sides.  In short such singling out undermines the credibility of the council,” said U.S. Ambassador to the UNHRC Keith Harper in reference to recent resolutions dealing with Israeli actions in the disputed Palestinian territories and the Golan Heights.