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UP FRONT Saturday 24 december 2016

UN condemns Israeli settlements as Obama declines to veto

tionally used its veto power foreign minister. “Israel
as a permanent member rejects this shameful anti-
of the Security Council to Israel resolution at the U.N.
block such resolutions on and will not abide by its
the grounds that Israeli-Pal- terms,” Netanyahu’s office
estinian disputes should be said in a statement, blam-
addressed through nego- ing Obama for failing to
tiation. Underscoring that “protect Israel against this
unity, Friday’s resolution gang-up at the UN” and
was proposed by nations even colluding with the
in four different parts of the country’s detractors. “Israel
world: Malaysia, New Zea- looks forward to working
land, Senegal and Venezu- with President-elect Trump
ela. It is the first resolution and with all our friends in
on settlements to pass in 36 Congress, Republicans and
years, Malaysia’s U.N. Am- Democrats alike, to negate
bassador Ramlan Bin Ibra- the harmful effects of this
him said. absurd resolution.”
Israeli Prime Minister Ben- By contrast, chief Palestin-
jamin Netanyahu ordered ian negotiation Saeb Er-
several diplomatic steps ekat hailed the result as a
in retaliation, recalling his “victory for the justice of
Samantha Power, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, addresses the United Nations Security nation’s ambassadors to the Palestinian cause.” He
Council, after the council voted on condemning Israel’s settlements in the West Bank and east New Zealand and Senegal said Trump’s choice was
Jerusalem, Friday, Dec. 23, 2016 at United Nations Headquarters. In a striking rupture with past for consultations and can- now between “internation-
practice, the United States allowed the U.N. Security Council on Friday to condemn Israel. celing a planned January al legitimacy” or siding with
(Manuel Elias/The United Nations via AP)
visit to Israel by Senegal’s “settlers and extremists.”q
EDITH M. LEDEREZ legal validity.” It demand-
BRADLEY KLAPPER ed a halt to such activities
JOSEF FEDERMAN for the sake of “salvaging
Associated Press the two-state solution.”
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — In Loud applause erupted
a striking rupture with past in the council chamber
practice, the United States after U.S. Ambassador Sa-
allowed the U.N. Security mantha Power permitted
Council on Friday to con- the resolution to pass.
demn Israeli settlements Friday’s condemnation, a
in the West Bank and east day after Egypt suddenly
Jerusalem as a “flagrant postponed a scheduled
violation” of international showdown, capped days
law. In doing so, the out- of frantic diplomacy in
going Obama administra- capitals around the world.
tion brushed aside Don- American officials indicat-
ald Trump’s demands that ed they would have been
the U.S. exercise its veto prepared to let the resolu-
and provided a climax to tion pass, despite blocking
years of icy relations with such proposals for years.
Israel’s leadership. Israeli officials said they
The decision to abstain were aware of such plans
from the council’s 14-0 and turned to Trump for
vote is one of the biggest support. The U.S. president-
American rebukes of its elect sent a tweet urging
longstanding ally in recent President Barack Obama
memory. And it could have to block the U.N. effort.
significant ramifications for Egypt then pulled its resolu-
the Jewish state, potentially tion, with U.S. officials citing
hindering Israel’s negotiat- fierce Israeli pressure as the
ing position in future peace reason. Israeli officials then
talks. Given the world’s accused Obama of collud-
widespread opposition to ing with the Palestinians in
settlements, the action will a “shameful move” against
be almost impossible for the Jewish state. Washing-
anyone, including Trump, ton denied the charge.
to reverse. Most of the world is op-
Nevertheless, Trump vowed posed to Israel’s construc-
via Twitter: “As to the U.N., tion of Jewish settlements
things will be different after in lands it seized in the 1967
Jan. 20th.” Mideast War. The primary
The resolution said Israel’s holdout at the U.N. has
settlements in lands the Pal- been the United States,
estinians want to include in which sees settlements as
their future state have “no illegitimate but has tradi-