Israel summons US ambassador over UN vote

By Eshat Firat

JERUSALEM (AA) – Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has summoned Sunday the U.S. ambassador in Tel Aviv over Washington’s abstention on a U.N. vote condemning Israeli settlement building in the occupied territories.

According to a report by Israel’s State Radio, Netanyahu summoned ambassador Dan Shapiro for a meeting to “explain the situation” after the U.N. adopted on Friday a resolution which demands Israel to halt settlement building and expansion in the Palestinian territories.

On Sunday, Israel summoned all the ambassadors from countries that voted for the UN resolution.

The resolution, which was co-sponsored by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela, was passed by a 14-0 vote after the United States abstained.

The U.S.’s move was a break from Washington's long-standing policy of supporting Israel at the U.N.

In the past, the U.S. has used its veto power on the issue, however, the Obama administration's decision not to veto the resolution was a first regarding a measure involving Israel and Palestine.

Netanyahu had harshly criticized the anti-settlement resolution, describing it as “anti-Israel” and “shameful”.

“The Obama administration not only failed to protect Israel against this gang-up at the U.N., it colluded with it behind the scenes,” he said, vowing that Israel will not comply with the resolution.

The last UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement building was adopted in 1979.

The U.S. vetoed a similar resolution in 2011, which was the sole veto cast by the Obama administration.