Obama condemned as “shameful” for abstaining to veto a U.N. resolution

A congressional non-binding resolution was passed by 342 to 80 on Thursday. It declares unwavering support for Israel and insists that the United States reject any future UN actions that are similarly “one-sided and anti-Israel”. Republicans accuse President Obama of turning his back on Israel by not using veto in UN Security Council vote.

Netanyahu has been unrelenting in his criticism of the Obama administration over what he condemned as its “shameful” decision not to veto a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a halt to Israeli settlement-building. Meanwhile Teresa May has been criticised for being two faced in the wake of this condemnation as Britain was one to vote in favour of UN declaration condemning increased settlement activity in occupied territories.

Netanyahu successfully lobbied Egypt, which proposed the draft resolution, to withdraw it – enlisting the help of President-elect Trump to persuade Cairo to drop the bid.

Israeli was ultimately out-manoeuvred at the United Nations, where New Zealand, Venezuela, Senegal and Malaysia, resubmitted the proposal a day later. It passed 14-0, with an abstention from the United States and not using its Veto power.

Israel to cut $6m from UN dues in protest over settlements resolution. The Guardian

There will only be one loser in the aftermath of Obama’s attack on Israel – the United Nations. The Independent

Tel Aviv trims $6mn off UN contribution over ‘incitement and anti-Israel propaganda’. RT News

US House condemns UN resolution on Israeli settlements. Al Jazeera

US house votes to condemn UN’s Israel resolution. Al Arabiya

Talking Points:

President Obama, last year passed a long-term security agreement that gives Israel $38bn in US military aid, including $5bn for missile defence

Israel Currently gives $40 million in contributions to the UN

The cut in funding will hurt the Palestinians through UNRAW The UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Britain was one to vote in favour of UN declaration condemning increased settlement activity in occupied territories.

Since late 2015, Israeli soldiers and settlers have been responsible for the killing of at least 244 Palestinians, including unarmed demonstrators, bystanders and alleged attackers in what has been termed the “Jerusalem intifada” or Jerusalem uprising.

Benjamin Netanyahu condemns John Kerry’s speech as ‘biased’ against Israel. The Independent

2016 ‘deadliest year’ for West Bank children in decade Al Jazeera.