On February 6, the United States blocked the UN Security Council statement expressing its regret over Israel’s decision to expel an international observer force from the West Bank city of Hebron. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced last week that he would not renew the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), accusing the mission of operating against Israel. The text warned Israel that it has an obligation under international law “to protect the Palestinian civilian population in Hebron” as well as the rest of the occupied territories, which is line with the statement issued by the contributing countries of the mission and the position of the EU on the matter. The Hebron mission, a 64 member team of observers from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy and Turkey and established since 1994, is tasked with promoting a sense of security for Palestinians in Hebron. Kuwait’s Ambassador said the council would discuss a proposed visit to the Israeli occupied territories for a close-up look at the situation on the ground. At least 600 Jewish settlers live under heavy military guard in the city, which is home to around 200,000 Palestinians.