In dramatic turnaround, US to censure Israel in Security Council

Bumped ~

February 17, 2011

In dramatic turnaround, US to censure Israel in Security Council

In a dramatic departure from longstanding policy, the United States intends to support a United Nations Security Council resolutions censuring Israel for building settlements in Palestinian territory.

The Obama administration told Arab governments Tuesday it will back a draft resolution saying the Security Council "does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlement activity," according to Foreign Policy magazine.

The language, which was confirmed to Foreign Policy by two Security Council diplomats, calls the Israeli settlements "a serious obstacle to the peace process." It says the Security Council "condemns all forms of violence, including rocket fire from Gaza, and stresses the need for calm and security for both peoples."

The Obama administration has used similar language to criticize Israel on settlements, but has not supported any such UN resolution condemning Israel. Doing so would constitute a significant US policy shift towards its ally.

http://current.com/news/93001117_in-dramatic-turnaround-us-to-censure-israel-in-security-council.htm