Israel PM charges US responsible for UN resolution, breaks ties with nations who voted in favor

By Richard Chiu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem July 10, 2016.  Reuters/Dan Balilty/Pool

Israel is blaming the United States for its hand in engineering the United Nations Security Council Resolution declaring the Jewish settlements in occupied territories illegal and suspends ties with nations who voted in support of it.

Isreali Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu minced no words in slamming the Obama administration for orchestrating the plan even when it abstained from the Security Council vote or use its veto powers to drop the resolution that did not favor the interests of Israel.

"Friends don't take friends to the Security Council. From the information that we have, we have no doubt that the Obama administration initiated it, stood behind it, coordinated on the wording and demanded that it be passed," Netanyahu said.

The UN Security Council recently passed a unanimous resolution declaring the construction of settlements within occupied territories in Palestine illegal. The resolution was passed after 14 council members voted in favor out of the 15-member council. This was the first time the United States broke its record of being recognized as one of the strongest allies of Israel.

The administration of US President Barack Obama was having a mutual cold-shoulder treatment with Israel, despite its long years of strategic alliance and has even come to the rescue by voting against any move that would be deemed unfavorable for Israel many times in the past.

Washington, however, denies the charges raised by Netanyahu.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu issued a reprimand for Israel's foreign ministry to summon the ambassadors of the 10 countries that voted in favor of the resolution. The Christmas Day summon was believed to signal the serious concern that Israel is considering and what possible actions Israel would take on the matter.

Netanyahu called the move to pass the resolution a "shameful act" and will take measures to have it rescinded. He also announced that Israel has also decided to halt their funding of five United Nations institutions which he believes have been "hostile to Israel".

The UN Security Council resolution was initially withdrawn by Egypt after it was believed to be experiencing pressure from Israel and president-elect Donald Trump.  It was then re-endorsed by council members from Malaysia, New Zealand, Venezuela, and Senegal. Trump has been open in his support of Israel and vowed "changes" in the UN participation of the United States once he steps into office on January 20.

The controversy on Jewish settlements being constructed in what Palestine claims to be its territory has been one of the most contentious issues between Israelis and Palestinians. This has also been the subject of conflict between the two nations and an obstacle for peace efforts.

Almost half a million Jews reside in settlements since 1967 established by Israel after it occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Since then, many Arab nations have been charging Israel for the illegal nature of the settlements based on existing international laws, which the Jewish nation has been disputing since then.

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