US Vetos UN Resolution on Settlements

Because of the language barrier, we seldom have the opportunity to hear what the average person is discussing in Tulkarm.  But one topic that has been buzzing this past week is the fact that last Friday the United States vetoed a resolution in the UN Security Council condemning Israel for continuing their policy of illegal settlements on Palestinian land.  The resolution had the support of all the other council members.  There was great disappointment expressed not only by the people of Palestine, but my colleagues from Europe.  I feel sort of self conscious to be from the United States as it seems to be the only government that is continuing to support Israel and their illegal actions.

Great hope had been put on the fact that the new administration would perhaps begin to substantively challenge Israel’s policy.  Obama had verbally urged Israel to put a halt to settlements.  But this veto of the resolution dims the hope of Palestinians that US policy might change.  Meanwhile the bulldozers continue their work.

My husband said that there was very little coverage of this veto in the United States.  There was no mention in our local paper in South Dakota.  The NY Times ran an article and if you are interested in reading it, I will post the url. Obed said he wrote letters last Saturday to the South Dakota and Alaskan congressional delegations as well as to the White House and the Department of State expressing his disappointment.  I guess that is one of the things we as citizens can do.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/19/world/middleeast/19nations.html?_r=2&hp

More later.   My time here in Tulkarm is drawing short.

Susanne