US Rejection is 'Big Blow' to Israel Policy
US Rejection is 'Big Blow' to Israel Policy
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NEW YORK - United States (US) allowed the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlements, defying pressure from President-elect Donald Trump, Israel and some US lawmakers who urged Washington to wield its veto.
For US, continued settlement building is 'seriously undermines Israel's security'. US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Samantha Power, said on Friday after Washington allowed the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding an end to settlements by abstaining from the vote.
"The United States has been sending a message that the settlements must stop privately and publicly for nearly five decades," she told the council after the vote, yesterday.
"One cannot simultaneously champion expanding Israeli settlements and champion a viable two state solution that would end the conflict. One had to make a choice between settlements and separation," she said.
A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement published by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, the UN action was 'a big blow to Israeli policy, a unanimous international condemnation of settlements and a strong support for the two-state solution,'.
"This is a day of victory for international law, a victory for civilized language and negotiation, and a total rejection of extremist forces in Israel," Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat told Reuters.
For known, United States on Friday allowed the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement building, defying heavy pressure from long-time ally Israel and President-elect Donald Trump for Washington to wield its veto.
A US abstention paved the way for the 15-member council to approve the resolution, with 14 votes in favor, prompting applause in the council chamber. The action by President Barack Obama's administration follows growing U.S. frustration over the unrelenting construction of Jewish settlements on land Palestinians want for a future independent state.
For US, continued settlement building is 'seriously undermines Israel's security'. US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Samantha Power, said on Friday after Washington allowed the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding an end to settlements by abstaining from the vote.
"The United States has been sending a message that the settlements must stop privately and publicly for nearly five decades," she told the council after the vote, yesterday.
"One cannot simultaneously champion expanding Israeli settlements and champion a viable two state solution that would end the conflict. One had to make a choice between settlements and separation," she said.
A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in a statement published by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, the UN action was 'a big blow to Israeli policy, a unanimous international condemnation of settlements and a strong support for the two-state solution,'.
"This is a day of victory for international law, a victory for civilized language and negotiation, and a total rejection of extremist forces in Israel," Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erekat told Reuters.
For known, United States on Friday allowed the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlement building, defying heavy pressure from long-time ally Israel and President-elect Donald Trump for Washington to wield its veto.
A US abstention paved the way for the 15-member council to approve the resolution, with 14 votes in favor, prompting applause in the council chamber. The action by President Barack Obama's administration follows growing U.S. frustration over the unrelenting construction of Jewish settlements on land Palestinians want for a future independent state.
(rnz)
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