UNSC passes draft resolution to end Israeli settlements

Rasa - The United Nations Security Council has passed a draft resolution censuring Israel for its settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories after the US refused to veto it, reversing its longstanding policy of sheltering the Israeli regime from condemnatory resolutions at the world body.

News ID: 426001

Date: 23 December 2016 - 22:17

RNA - The Egyptian-drafted resolution was passed with 14 votes in favor and one abstention on Friday.

Egypt had withdrawn the measure after the Israeli regime asked US President-elect Donald Trump to pressure the North African country to delay voting on the draft resolution.

It is the first resolution on Israel and the Palestinians that the 15-member body has passed in about eight years.

The  Security Council was initially scheduled to vote on the resolution on Thursday.

However, on Friday, Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela put forward the draft again, which called on Israel to "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem" al-Quds.

It also said the construction of Israeli settlements has "no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law."

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