JERUSALEM: Following United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s demand to end the Israeli settlement building on land Palestinians want for an independent state, Jerusalem said it would cut $6 million in funding to the UN in 2017.
On December 23 last year, the United States allowed the 15-member Security Council to adopt the resolution with 14 votes in favor. However, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump had called for Washington to wield its veto.
“It is unreasonable for Israel to fund bodies that operate against us at the U.N.,” said Israel’s envoy to the UN Danny Danon. “The U.N. must end the absurd reality in which it supports bodies whose sole intent is to spread incitement and anti-Israel propaganda.”
“Israel’s mission to the United Nations would move ahead with further initiatives aimed at ending anti-Israel activities at the United Nations after Trump takes office on Jan. 20,” he added.
Israel captured the land in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. The land is claimed by Palestinians who wanted an independent state on the captured areas.
Most countries and the United Nations view Israeli West Bank settlements as illegal and an obstacle to peace.
