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Washington, London, Gulf States Support International Resolution against Israeli Settlement | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow, Russia, September 21, 2015. REUTERS/Ivan Sekretarev/Pool


Tel Aviv – Recent reports from sources said that Russia has supported Israeli attempts to obstruct the adoption of an international resolution against Israeli settlements, by calling on the U.N. Security Council to adjourn the vote on the resolution till after the holidays of Christmas and New Year.

High-ranking Israeli sources said that few hours before the Security Council vote on Resolution 2334, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made a phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for his help in obstructing the adoption of the resolution, which condemns Israeli settlements.

The sources added that the content of the discussion between the two officials was not known in detail, noting that an hour ahead of the Security Council session, intense backstage talks erupted at the U.N. headquarters in New York, when Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vitaly Chukrin asked the attendees to postpone the voting session until after Christmas and New Year. Other state representatives, however, did not answer his call, and the resolution was adopted.

Sources also said that Washington, along with London and Gulf States, have strongly supported the adoption of the U.N.S.C. resolution.

U.N. Security Council Resolution 2334 demands that Israel cease construction in all areas captured in the 1967 Middle East war and describes the West Bank and East Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory.

Meanwhile, a high-ranking Israeli official said that during a meeting of Israel’s Security Cabinet on Monday, officials discussed the possibility that a new set of measures unfavorable to Israel might be agreed in Paris and be voted for by the U.N. Security Council before U.S. President Barack Obama leaves office on January 20.

Speaking to a weekly meeting of his Cabinet, Netanyahu said Israel was considering a “plan of action” against the U.N., without elaborating.

“We will do all it takes so Israel emerges unscathed from this shameful decision,” Netanyahu said.