UN Security Council demands end to Israeli settlements

The United Nations Security Council approved Friday a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlements after the United States abstained from vetoing the resolution.

The resolution, put forward by New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal, was approved with 14 votes in favor and an abstention from the United States.

The resolution was supposed to be put to the vote on Thursday, but Egypt withdrew it under pressure from Israel and the US President-elect Donald Trump.

The resolution demanded that Israel "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory" and said the establishment of settlements by Israel "constitutes a flagrant violation under international law."

A statement from Netinyahu’s office said that Israel rejects the resolution and will not abide by its terms.

Under the UN Charter, UN member states "agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council."