Trump criticizes UN for Israel settlement vote

TORONTO, Canada (Kurdistan24) – The President-elect of the United States Donald J. Trump on Monday criticized the United Nations (UN) for the recent vote regarding Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The UN Security Council said the settlement was a “flagrant violation under international law.”

On Tuesday, the Jerusalem municipal government announced it was moving ahead with the construction of thousands of new homes in disputed areas.

Trump wrote on Twitter that the UN had “such great potential but right now it [was] just a club for people to get together, talk and have a good time.”

Before the vote on Friday, Trump urged the current US administration under President Barack Obama to veto the UN draft resolution.

However, the Obama administration decided to abstain from the vote.

Although Trump previously stated he wanted to be “very neutral” regarding Israel-Palestinian issues, his recent stance against the UN vote was more pro-Israel.

Additionally, Trump had spoken unfavorably of Palestinians in the past, accusing them of condoning militant groups.

“The big loss [on Friday] for Israel in the United Nations will make it much harder to negotiate peace,” the President-elect said in a tweet on Saturday.

Moreover, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also expressed his discontent before the UN vote, calling the proposed resolution “anti-Israel.”

The draft was submitted to the UN Security Council by Egypt on Wednesday and received support from several countries before the vote.

The Friday decision officially condemned Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem as illegal.

Earlier this month, Trump revealed plans to move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to West Jerusalem, home to Israel’s national government.

The move would demonstrate the President-elect’s support for Israel and his desire to improve relations with the nation.

Editing by Ava Homa