UN-(United Nonsense)The United States vetoed a U.N. resolution Friday that would have condemned "illegal" Israeli settlements and demanded an immediate halt to all settlement building, a move certain to anger Arab countries and Palestinian supporters around the world.
The 14 other Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, reflecting the wide support for the Palestinian-backed draft which had over 100 co-sponsors.
U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said the United States agrees with the rest of the council and the wider world "about the folly and illegitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity." But she said the U.S. believes "it is unwise" for the U.N.'s most powerful body to attempt to resolve key issues between the Israelis and Palestinians.
The vote put President Barack Obama in a difficult position, both internationally and domestically.
Israel's U.N. Ambassador Meron Reuben thanked the U.S. for its veto saying direct negotiations between the two sides remain the only way forward and called for Palestinian leaders "to return to the negotiating table without preconditions and without delay."
The resolution "should never have been submitted," he said, warning that the Palestinian attempt to win approval was "likely to harm" efforts to resume negotiations.
The veto was applauded by Jewish organizations and Israel's supporters in Congress.
Rep. Howard Berman called it "a bold demonstration" of U.S. support for Israel and for peace between Israel and the Palestinians."
Read the Draft Resolution Pdf (watch how bad it will go with the countries who signed this evil draft resolution against Israël - C-Z).
Read whole article on: ajc.com
