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U.S. vetoes anti-Israel resolution at the U.N.

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published November 12, 2006

UNITED NATIONS - The United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council draft resolution Saturday that sought to condemn an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip and demand Israeli troops pull out of the territory.

U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said the Arab-backed draft resolution was "biased against Israel and politically motivated."

"This resolution does not display an evenhanded characterization of the recent events in Gaza, nor does it advance the cause of Israeli-Palestinian peace," he told the Security Council.

The draft received 10 votes in favor and four abstentions, along with the U.S. vote against. The United States is one of five permanent members of the council that has the power to veto resolutions.

It was the second U.S. veto this year of a Security Council draft resolution concerning Israeli military operations in Gaza. The United States blocked action on a document this summer after Israel launched its offensive in response to the capture of an Israeli soldier by Hamas-linked Palestinian militants.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said the draft resolution was one-sided.

The Palestinians' Hamas-led government denounced the veto.

Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa said the veto "will only increase the anger" toward Israel, and Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit accused the Security Council of "turning a blind eye to Israeli acts in Gaza."

The Arab League was preparing for an emergency meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo, Egypt, today to decide how to respond the latest Israeli offensive.

Palestinians strengthened calls for Security Council action after an early morning Israeli artillery barrage in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun killed 19 people Wednesday.

Israel has expressed regret for the loss of life in Beit Hanoun but has said it will continue operations to stop militants from launching rockets into Israel. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is due to visit Washington today to meet with President Bush.

[Last modified November 12, 2006, 01:40:46]