Israelis condemn anti-settlement vote
Israel on July 16 criticized a tough United Nations resolution to force a halt in Jewish settlement building as "moral bankruptcy," while Palestinians cheered their limited political win.
"The fact that the UN finds it necessary to vote against the building of apartments in a democratic country. . . and ignores the real threat to peace by some of the dictators that voted for its shows moral bankruptcy," David Barillan, a top aide of Israeli prime minister, said.
He added, however, that he seriously doubted the resolution voted by the United Nations General Assembly on July 15 would have a detrimental effect on Israel.
The resolution was watered down from an Arab-supported text which called for economic sanctions against Israel and the temporary exclusion of the Jewish state from future General Assembly deliberations.
Netanyahu also criticized the United Nations over a July 15 vote that urged member states to actively discourage the building of Jewish settlements in occupied areas.
He dismissed the settlement issue as a "red herring" and called on the Palestinians to negotiate it in peace talks with Israel instead of stirring up world condemnation.
"There is so much happening in the world. There is fighting. There are wars. There is genocide. And this is what the United Nations has to do—convene a whole general Assembly special session because we're building some housing for young couples, incidentally for Arabs and Jews alike?" Netanyahu said.
The General Assembly resolution, sponsored by 15 Arab and Muslim countries, condenmed Israeli settlement activity and demanded Israel provide information about goods produced in the settlements. The vote was 13-3 with 14 abstentions. Israel, Micronesia and the US voted against.
The resolution follows a report by United Nations secretary-general Kofi Anan condemning settlement construction in East Jerusalem, which the Palestinians want as capital for a future state.
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