The US on Saturday vetoed a UNSC resolution that would have condemned "illegal" Israeli settlements,despite all other states in the 15-member body,including India,voting for it. "Consistent with our position that the settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law,India has co-sponsored the resolution and voted in its favour," said Manjeev Singh Puri,India's deputy envoy to the UN. "It is our sincere hope and expectation that wiser counsel will prevail among the parties concerned and that the path of dialogue will be path followed to recognise peace in the region," he added. Israel's refusal to extend a 10-month moratorium on settlement activity,last September,led to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refusing to enter direct talks with the Israeli side,which had started after a two-year lull. The US,however,wants the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to be resolved only through dialogue between the two parties and opposes the UN interference. "Our opposition to the resolution before this Council today should therefore not be misunderstood to mean we support settlement activity," said Susan Rice,US envoy to the UN. "But the only way to reach that common goal (peace) is through direct negotiations between the parties,with the active and sustained support of the United States and the international community." "Direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians have been and still remain the only way forward to resolve the long-standing conflict in our region," said Meron Reuben,Israel's envoy to the UN. "The resolution before you should never have been submitted." Earlier this week,the US had offered to support a UNSC "statement" which had weaker than the language of the resolution. The Palestinians,however,rejected the American proposal and pressed ahead with a vote. Meanwhile,top US Congressmen have welcomed the decision of the Obama Administration to veto an anti-Israel resolution in the UNSC. "I commend the Obama Administration for vetoing the counter-productive resolution considered today by the UNSC. Today,the Administration made clear that the US will not allow the UN to be turned into a forum to attack our ally,Israel," top Democratic party leader Nancy Pelosi said. "With todays veto,the Administration made clear that the only path to a real,lasting peace in the region is through direct negotiations," Pelosi said. "As we watch developments in the Middle East with hope and concern,we stand with those who undertake constructive efforts that foster peace and bring greater stability to the region and our world," she said. Congressman Steve Rothman,a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittees on Defense; and State and Foreign Operations,also welcomed the US veto. "I commend the Obama administration for using its first veto at the United Nations to do the right thing and block todays anti-Israel resolution," Rothman said. Welcoming the veto,Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said,"Today,when a resolution that could have damaged the fragile Middle East peace process was offered at the United Nations Security Council,the United States did the right thing and stood up for a consistent and principled position." The Republicans,however,expressed disappointment the manner in which Obama Administration handled the issue. "When the usual suspects started organising their latest assault against Israel at the UN Security Council,the United States should have immediately and unequivocally stated that we would veto their product," said Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen,Chairman,House Foreign Affairs Committee. "It is deeply disappointing that the Administration hemmed and hawed for weeks over whether to stand with Israel by vetoing a resolution demonizing our strong ally," she said. "The Administration's display of angst and its hesitation to use its veto is a major victory for those extremist elements who relish in demonising Israel. And for the Administration to go as far as calling the choice to veto regrettable is simply shameful," she said. "The reluctance of the US to use its veto is also a setback for the prospects of peace in the Middle East,as it piles even more pressure on Israel to make even more concessions while telegraphing to the uncompromising Palestinian leadership that they can get more concessions without making any on their end," Ros-Lehtinen said. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) expressed appreciation to the US for vetoing the "fundamentally flawed" UNSC resolution on Israeli settlements and for making clear to the Palestinian Authority that the only route to peace is through direct negotiations with Israel. "We express our strong appreciation to the United States for its forceful action in vetoing this resolution. The Obama Administration has made clear to the Palestinian Authority that it will not be a party to its efforts to avoid direct negotiations with Israel. We hope the Palestinians will now buckle down and return to direct talks with Israel," said Abraham Foxman,ADL National Director.
