The resolution demands halt to settlement building; matter brought to Security Council by Lebanon despite explicit US opposition.
By JORDANA HORN, JPOST.COM STAFF
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton strongly opposed efforts made by the Palestinian Authority to submit a resolution to UN Security Council condemninig Israeli settlements, AFP reported Thursday."The only way that there will be a resolution of the conflict... is through a negotiated settlement," Clinton said. "Therefore we do not see action at the UN or any other forum as being helpful in bringing about this desired outcome," the report cited Clinton as saying.RELATED:Palestinians raise flag at Washington diplomatic mission'European countries may recognize Palestinian state'The proposed resolution put forward by Lebanon at Wednesday’s UN Security Council meeting condemns Israel’s settlement activity and demands that it “immediately and completely” cease all settlement activities “in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.”The draft resolution, sponsored by 120 countries, was introduced to place the issue before the Security Council’s jurisdiction, with the idea that the resolution would not be brought to a vote until February at the earliest.Clinton did not say whether Washington planned on vetoing the resolution, AFP reported."Ultimately, the Palestinian and Israeli people have to make a decision about whether they can engage in a negotiation that will result in compromise on both sides to obtain," Clinton said.