UN demands end to Israeli settlements after US abstains

The UN Security Council on Friday demanded that Israel halt its settlement activities in Palestinian territory, in a resolution adopted after the United States refrained from vetoing the measure condemning its closest Middle East ally.


In a rare step, the United States instead abstained, allowing the measure to pass by a vote of 14 in favor in the 15-member council.

Applause broke out in the council chamber after the adoption of the resolution, the first measure on the Middle East passed at the council in eight years.

The vote was scheduled at the request of four countries -- New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal and Venezuela -- who stepped in to push for action after Egypt on Thursday put the draft resolution on hold.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had backtracked on the move to condemn Israel's settlement policy after receiving a phone call from US President-elect Donald Trump, who spoke out in favour of a US veto.
 [elethos.gr/AFP]
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