UN resolution on Israeli settlements criticized by Trump

[Nevski]

Just an hour after the Obama administration abstained from voting on a UN Security Council resolution demanding Israel stop settlement construction on Palestinian territory, President-elect Trump and some US legislators responded by criticizing the vote.

https://www.rt.com/usa/371545-us-lawmakers-criticize-un-vote/

The resolution was put forward by New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal to be voted on by the 15-member council on Friday, a day after Egypt withdrew under pressure from Israel and US President-elect Donald Trump. Israel and Trump called on the US to vote against the measure.

It was adopted with 14 votes in favor to a round of applause. It is the first resolution the Security Council has adopted on Israel and Palestinians in nearly eight years.

The resolution “reaffirms that the establishment by Israel of settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, has no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law, and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and just, lasting and comprehensive peace.”

The resolution demands that Israel “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities.”

Senior White House officials and State Department officials held a conference call with reporters on Friday afternoon on the resolution.

Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor was quick to stress “there was one president at a time.”

"There is one president at a time. Pres Obama is the POTUS until Jan 20 and we are taking this action of course as US policy."

Rhodes said the Obama administration had reached out to the president-elect on Thursday, but discussions were underway until Friday morning.

Calling it "shameful" and "reckless" US lawmakers weighed in on the UN settlement vote.


House Speaker, Paul Ryan (R, Wisconsin) said the refusal to vote was “absolutely shameful,” and “sets a dangerous precedent for further diplomatic efforts to isolate and demonize Israel.”