Israeli construction on Palestinian territory ‘flagrant violation’ of international law

The vote was greeted with loud applause in the packed SC chamber.

Israel has pursued a policy of constructing settlements on territory it captured in a 1967 war with its Arab neighbours – the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, areas Palestinians seek for a state. The resolution, which passed 14-0, condemns Israel for what it described as a “flagrant violation” of worldwide law.

The resolution – passed by a 14 votes to nil – was greeted with loud applause in the packed chamber after the U.S. ambassador, Samantha Power ducked the vote.

“The US has been sending the message that the settlements must stop, privately and publicly, for five decades”, Ms Power said in remarks following the vote.

President-elect Donald Trump joined Netanyahu in condemning the Security Council vote, calling it a “big loss for Israel” that “will make it much harder to negotiate peace”.

The resolution was first tabled by Egypt, but the country withdrew it under pressure from Israel and Donald Trump.

American officials indicated they would have been prepared to let the resolution pass, despite blocking such proposals for years.

On Friday, an unnamed Israeli official is accused President Obama of a “shameful move against Israel at the United Nations”, the Associated Press reported.

Netanyahu called the decision “distorted” but said Israel will overcome it.

The meeting was listed on the revised Security Council schedule as being about “the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question”.

Turning his displeasure on the U.S. government, he then accused U.S. President Barack Obama of backing out of a long-standing commitment to stand by Israel. “There is a disappointment and great concern here at the White House”, said White House spokesman Josh Earnest afterwards.

The council’s responsibility is to maintain global peace and security.

“Two countries with which we have diplomatic relations cosponsored the resolution against us at the UN”. He said he is looking forward to working with those friends and “the new administration when it takes office next month”.

Israel’s reaction to the resolution was swift.

“Israel rejects this shameful anti-Israel resolution at the United Nations and will not abide by its terms“, a statement from Netanyahu’s office said.

Israeli settlements are seen as a major stumbling block to peace efforts as they are built on land the Palestinians see as part of their future state.

America also gives more than $3bn (£2.4bn) a year in defence aid to Israel but, under the Obama administration, it has become frustrated with continued settlement building in the West Bank, which Israel has occupied for almost 50 years. At the behest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump asked the resolution sponsor, Egypt, to delay a vote, and Egypt did.