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February 21, 2011

U.S. Vetoes U.N. Resolution Calling Israeli Settlements Illegal 
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At the United Nations, the Obama administration used its veto power for
the first time to block a Security Council resolution declaring Israeli
settlement activity to be declared "illegal." The final vote on the
measure was 14 to 1. Co-sponsors of the resolution included Britain,
France and Germany. U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice defended the vote.

U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice: "Unfortunately, this draft resolution risks
hardening the positions of both sides. It could encourage the parties to
stay out of negotiations, and if and when they did resume to return to
the security council, whenever they reach an impasse."

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyhu said his country "deeply
appreciated" the United States for its use of the veto, but Palestinian
officials reacted with shock. A day of rage is being organized in the
West Bank and Gaza for Friday.

Ahmed Assaf, spokesperson for Fatah: "The Palestinian people wants the
American administration to be the sponsor of the peace process, not of
settlements and occupation. When it voted for the sake of Israel, it
supported Israel's continued building of settlements."



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