United Nations (United States) - (AFP) - In a statement, the United Nations Security Council condemned Monday the legalization of nine Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, considering the settlements an "obstacle" to peace.

In this statement issued by the Presidency, with the support of all 15 of its members, which is not binding, the Council considered that "the continuation of Israeli settlement activity endangers (the principle of) the two-state solution."

He also affirmed his "opposition to all unilateral measures that impede peace, including the construction and expansion of Israeli settlements, the confiscation of Palestinian lands, the 'legitimization' of settlements, the demolition of Palestinian homes and the displacement of Palestinian civilians."

He expressed his "deep concern and surprise" at Israel's announcement of legalizing the nine settlements and building new homes in the existing settlements.

Last week, the United Arab Emirates distributed to the member states of the Council a draft resolution condemning "all attempts at annexation, including Israeli decisions and actions related to settlements," and calling for their "immediate withdrawal." The text called on Israel to "immediately and completely stop its settlement activities in the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem."

The initiative angered the United States, which has veto power in the council. The US State Department denounced the decision as "little useful in light of the necessary support for negotiations on a two-state solution."

However, Washington condemned at the same time the Israeli declaration related to the nine settlements.

A diplomatic source said the draft resolution was withdrawn after talks between the Palestinians and the Americans.

In December 2016, for the first time since 1979, the Security Council called on Israel to halt settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territories in a resolution passed as a result of the United States not using its veto power.

The United States had abstained from voting when this resolution was issued, weeks before the transfer of power from former President Barack Obama to former President Donald Trump, noting that Washington had always supported Israel in this sensitive file.