Obama Kicks Israel on His Way Out the Door

 

Aleppo is crumbling, Libya is in ruins, Russia is threatening its neighbors, and China is militarizing the South China Sea. But the UN is taking action against Israel. And Obama let them:

The U.N. Security Council on Friday passed a resolution demanding Israel cease Jewish settlement activity on Palestinian territory in a unanimous vote that passed when the United States abstained rather than using its veto as it has reliably done in the past.

The resolution declares settlements constructed on land Israel has occupied since the 1967 war, including East Jerusalem, have “no legal validity.” It said settlements threaten the viability of the two-state solution, and it urged Israelis and Palestinians to return to negotiations that lead to two independent nations.

The United States’ abstention Friday was a rare (“rare?” – ed.) rebuke to Israel, and reflected mounting frustration in the Obama administration over settlement growth that the United States considers an obstacle to peace. With President Obama’s time in office due to end in barely a month, his decision not to veto was a symbolic statement of that displeasure.

Earlier this week, Donald Trump called on the current administration to oppose the anti-Israel resolution, as did senators of both parties. The most impactful response came from Sen. Lindsey Graham who threatened financial support for Israel’s enemies around the world and the UN itself:

This provocative action by the United Nations is an outrage and must be dealt with sternly and forcefully. As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I oversee the United States assistance to the United Nations.

The United States is currently responsible for approximately 22 percent of the United Nations total budget. If the United Nations moves forward with the ill-conceived resolution, I will work to form a bipartisan coalition to suspend or significantly reduce United States assistance to the United Nations.

In addition, any nation which backs this resolution and receives assistance from the United States will put that assistance in jeopardy.

There is a reason the United States has long opposed these type efforts directed at Israel — the only way to achieve a lasting peace by the parties negotiating directly and not using the United Nations as a blunt instrument against Israel. This was President Obama’s position in 2011 and it should be his position today.

Needless to say, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not amused:

Israel rejects this shameful anti-Israel resolution at the UN and will not abide by its terms. At a time when the Security Council does nothing to stop the slaughter of half a million people in Syria, it disgracefully gangs up on the one true democracy in the Middle East, Israel, and calls the Western Wall “occupied territory.” The Obama administration not only failed to protect Israel against this gang-up at the UN, it colluded with it behind the scenes. Israel looks forward to working with President-elect Trump and with all our friends in Congress, Republicans and Democrats alike, to negate the harmful effects of this absurd resolution.

Published in Foreign Policy
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  1. Trinity Waters Member
    Trinity Waters
    @

    What can one say?  Obama is a despicable man who has soiled the White House.  He will not be missed.

    • #1
  2. Ontheleftcoast Inactive
    Ontheleftcoast
    @Ontheleftcoast

    Obama is engaged in a scorched earth campaign; he hopes that Trump will be unable to put out some of the fires Obama has set. The secondary gain will be if putting them out sucks up a lot of Team Trump’s time and causes discord.

    • #2
  3. ctlaw Coolidge
    ctlaw
    @ctlaw

    One of the aspects is it writes the BDS movement into international law:

    5. Calls upon all States, bearing in mind paragraph 1 of this resolution, to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967;

    • #3
  4. Quietpi Member
    Quietpi
    @Quietpi

    Correct me here. I just read an article that said Egypt, the resolution’s sponsor, had withdrawn it at the last minute.

    • #4
  5. ctlaw Coolidge
    ctlaw
    @ctlaw

    Three thug countries and one that has the luxury to stab the civilized world in the back did not want it withdrawn.

     

    Quietpi:Correct me here. I just read an article that said Egypt, the resolution’s sponsor, had withdrawn it at the last minute.

    View comment in context.

     

    • #5
  6. Knotwise the Poet Member
    Knotwise the Poet
    @KnotwisethePoet

    Ugh.  January 20th can’t come soon enough.

    • #6
  7. Topher Inactive
    Topher
    @Topher

    This was a vile action, completely in keeping with Obama’s history of being nice to our enemies and  kicking our friends in the teeth. The Palestinians want to establish a state completely free of Jews. This action is in keeping with Obama’s ignoring the Green Revolution in Iran, then giving the mullah’s millions of dollars, a free pass on their terrorist activities, and protection for their nuclear program for ten years–at which time they can practice “just in time delivery.” Every day I grow happier that Trump was elected.

    • #7
  8. Ontheleftcoast Inactive
    Ontheleftcoast
    @Ontheleftcoast

    ctlaw: Three thug countries and one that has the luxury to stab the civilized world in the back did not want it withdrawn.

    View comment in context.

    And Obama consented.

    • #8
  9. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    This is great, actually. It’s the perfect opportunity to defy UN declarations and show that our policies will not be determined by any international council.

    The UN is worthless except as a forum for leaders and ambassadors to gather in pursuit of agreements by separate negotiations. It should not be a pseudo-government body. Decimate its funding. Reject its mandates. At best, it is a first stop before beginning real diplomacy.

    • #9
  10. tigerlily Member
    tigerlily
    @tigerlily

    ctlaw:Three thug countries and one that has the luxury to stab the civilized world in the back did not want it withdrawn.

    Quietpi:Correct me here. I just read an article that said Egypt, the resolution’s sponsor, had withdrawn it at the last minute.

    View comment in context.

    View comment in context.

    New Zealand? What the hell is going on in New Zealand?

    • #10
  11. ctlaw Coolidge
    ctlaw
    @ctlaw

    tigerlily:

    ctlaw:Three thug countries and one that has the luxury to stab the civilized world in the back did not want it withdrawn.

    Quietpi:Correct me here. I just read an article that said Egypt, the resolution’s sponsor, had withdrawn it at the last minute.

    View comment in context.

    View comment in context.

    New Zealand? What the hell is going on in New Zealand?

    View comment in context.

    Dear Muslim World,

    Please kill us last.

    Love,

    New Zealand

    • #11
  12. Zafar Member
    Zafar
    @Zafar

    This resolution has no enforcement mechanism – how/why will it make a difference?

    Two different opinions sourced from Mondoweiss.

    Zaha Hassan:

    “The UN Security Council resolution that passed today, though only reiterating legal obligations and international consensus, is incredibly significant because for more than two decades Israel has been attempting to blur the lines between what is Israel and what is the occupied West Bank through its settlement enterprise. The resolution makes clear that…all settlements, whether built in East Jerusalem or inside the West Bank, are without legal validity and in violation of international law…”

    Yousef Munayyer:

    “For the first time in decades, the United States has failed to use its veto on a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements. In terms of the law, this resolution changes very little. Israeli settlements have always been illegal and, in fact, the US has voted in support of Security Council resolutions that affirm this fact in the past. But the resolution’s language makes very clear that it is a desperate, last-ditch effort to save a ‘two-state solution’ by calling for an immediate cessation of Israeli settlement activity. In reality, it is far too late and no piece of paper can save something that has long been dead…”

    Additionally:

    imho, the US can abstain from as many vetos as it wants, but continuing to fund Israel by >$3.1 billion a year speaks louder than words and failing to veto non-binding resolutions. jmho.

    • #12
  13. Brian McMenomy Inactive
    Brian McMenomy
    @BrianMcMenomy

    This is the Mideast version of Obama telling Medvedev “I’ll have more flexibility after the election”.  In other words, sell American interests and allies down the river over a blame-America & Israel 1st ideology.  Does anyone with an IQ above room temperature think this action brings a negotiated settlement closer?  Even Obama knows it doesn’t; he just wants to give Bibi the finger on his way out.  Childish pique, nothing more.

    • #13
  14. Quake Voter Inactive
    Quake Voter
    @QuakeVoter

    Began his career voting present.  Ending his career voting present.  The Great Empty Parenthesis.

    Happily, on relatively minor items like gas pipelines and defining items like support for our one true friend in the Middle East, O’zymandias will be looking sideways at his feet in a month.

    Good riddance.

    • #14
  15. Scott Wilmot Member
    Scott Wilmot
    @ScottWilmot

    I think Obama realizes he is a total failure. His only recourse is to these petulant moves – it is the only way he can try to remain relevant and in the news. His legacy is tied up in the genocide in Syria, the destruction of our leadership in the ME, the growth of jihadi Islam, the anemia of the US economy, the growth of our debt, and the polarization of the USA. He was seen as a man who had great potential, but he proved himself a fraud.

    I will watch in joyful hope as the counter to your ouster counts down (see upper left hand corner).

    Good riddance.

     

    • #15
  16. Vance Richards Inactive
    Vance Richards
    @VanceRichards

    • #16
  17. patpongmike Inactive
    patpongmike
    @patpongmike

    0bama hates Jews.  full-stop.

    end of rant

     

    • #17
  18. Charles Mark Member
    Charles Mark
    @CharlesMark

    America did this. America needs to fix it. Otherwise what ally can trust America?

    • #18
  19. Justin Hertog Inactive
    Justin Hertog
    @RooseveltGuck

    Obama is a disgrace. I’m going to enjoy watching Congress and the President systematically undo every one of his signature non-achievements.

    • #19
  20. Nick Stuart Inactive
    Nick Stuart
    @NickStuart

    Anyone concerned that Trump is anti-Semitic might spend some time meditating on Obama’s actions vs. Trump’s announced intentions (which we will be able to begin to weigh in less than a month as to whether they actualize).

    Anyone concerned with anti-Semitism generally might spend some time considering whether today it is the Left or the Right which actually presents the greatest threat to Jews.

    • #20
  21. tigerlily Member
    tigerlily
    @tigerlily

    Nick Stuart:Anyone concerned that Trump is anti-Semitic might spend some time meditating on Obama’s actions vs. Trump’s announced intentions (which we will be able to begin to weigh in less than a month as to whether they actualize).

     

    View comment in context.

    Yes. Good point. There are a plenty of legitimate criticisms and concerns regarding Trump; but, the anti-Semite charge is baseless.

    • #21
  22. MJBubba Member
    MJBubba
    @

    The United Nations continues to decline in value. I do not think the value to the United States is equivalent to the three billion dollars per year that we are contributing.

    I want Mr. Trump to put the United Nations on a diet. Perhaps Ms. Nikki Haley can identify some of the more worthless programs, and then we could reduce our contribution in proportion to the amount the U.N. pays for programs we want them to curtail. They will get the message.

    When they vote to harm our allies, it is nearly treason for Team Obama to abstain. America has very few friends around the world that we can count on. Obama and his team of Leftist ideologues have a very twisted sense of who are our friends and who are our enemies. Mr. Obama has led the first anti-American Administration in American history.

    • #22
  23. Chris Campion Coolidge
    Chris Campion
    @ChrisCampion

    That kid is a POS.  Which isn’t code for Person Of Sympathy.

    Tired, tired, tired of him.  The Child Who Would Be King.  Still can’t get it right even in his last few days.

    Because Barry.

    • #23
  24. Al Kennedy Inactive
    Al Kennedy
    @AlKennedy

    ctlaw:Three thug countries and one that has the luxury to stab the civilized world in the back did not want it withdrawn.

    Quietpi:Correct me here. I just read an article that said Egypt, the resolution’s sponsor, had withdrawn it at the last minute.

    View comment in context.

    View comment in context.

    NRO (Obama’s Shameful Parting Shot at Israel)  is reporting that the countries that resubmitted the resolution are: New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela, and Senegal.

    • #24
  25. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Donald J. TrumpVerified account@realDonaldTrump

    As to the U.N., things will be different after Jan. 20th.

    3:14 PM – 23 Dec 2016

    10,308 replies21,719 retweets57,708 likes

    Reply

    10K

    Retweet

    22K

    Like

    58K

    More

     

    It cannot come soon enough.

    • #25
  26. DocJay Inactive
    DocJay
    @DocJay

    This seems like payback for the speech to congress before the horrible Iran deal.  Obama is a thin skinned man.

    • #26
  27. Al Kennedy Inactive
    Al Kennedy
    @AlKennedy

    This is finally the result of President Obama’s friendship and support for Rashid Khalidi and Edward Said.  By abstaining on this resolution, Obama has disgraced the United States and the values that it holds dear.

    • #27
  28. PHCheese Inactive
    PHCheese
    @PHCheese

    Nick Stuart:Anyone concerned that Trump is anti-Semitic might spend some time meditating on Obama’s actions vs. Trump’s announced intentions (which we will be able to begin to weigh in less than a month as to whether they actualize).

    Anyone concerned with anti-Semitism generally might spend some time considering whether today it is the Left or the Right which actually presents the greatest threat to Jews.

    View comment in context.

    Hasn’t it always been the left.

    • #28
  29. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    DocJay:This seems like payback for the speech to congress before the horrible Iran deal. Obama is a thin skinned man.

    View comment in context.

    He is an Evil man, out to destroy America and Israel. He has been an enemy of America his whole adult life. He is not done, He plans to stay in DC to cause trouble.

    I wish Kingsman were true, The world would be such a better place after that.

    • #29
  30. ctlaw Coolidge
    ctlaw
    @ctlaw

    DocJay:This seems like payback for the speech to congress before the horrible Iran deal. Obama is a thin skinned man.

    View comment in context.

    He would have done this no matter what. The continued existence of Israel and the Jewish people despite all the adversity they’ve experienced is an intolerable reminder that the problems of others are largely their own.

    • #30
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