New York (AsiaNews) - The UN Security Council has rejected a resolution demanding an end to Israeli occupation and setting out precise deadlines for reaching a settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian issue, with the birth of a Palestinian State within the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, ensuring security for Israel. The proposal was drawn up by Palestine and Arab countries, and then perfected and toned down by Jordan and France.
Only eight members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution, namely Russia, China, France, Luxembourg, Chad, Argentina, Chile and Jordan.
United States and Australia voted against; Great Britain, Lithuania, South Korea, Rwanda and Nigeria abstained. Nigeria had initially advocated in favor of the resolution, but changed its stance at the last moment.
Had there been a majority, the United States would have used its veto power to block the resolution. In recent weeks, John Kerry, US Secretary of State, has held several meetings to ensure the motion would not pass without using US veto power. Observers have expressed surprise at Great Britain's stance after its Parliament had voted in favor of the recognition of the Palestinian state.
Reviving the peace process with a precise time-line, after years of failed proposals sponsored by the US, would be an important step that could resolve a situation of daily violence that carries much desperation, especially on the Palestinian side.
Palestinian envoy, Riyad Mansour, accused the Council of not taking risks and promised to seek other ways for the recognition of Palestine. Palestinian leaders are prepared to join the International Criminal Court to launch legal action against the Israeli occupation and accuse Israel of war crimes.
Israel's representative, Israel Nitzan, has branded the resolution as "a march of folly" and urged the Security Council to "stop indulging the Palestinians".