Hanson, WCC criticize U.S. veto of UN resolution on Israeli settlements
Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America said he was "dismayed" that the United States vetoed a UN
Security Council resolution that would have condemned the illegal
Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.
Hanson and 12 other
leaders of Christian churches and organizations had written to President
Obama urging his administration to support the UN resolution days
before the UN vote February 18. Fourteen other Security Council members
voted in favor of the resolution, which was cosponsored by 130
countries.
U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice said the United States
agrees with the rest of the council "about the folly and illegitimacy of
continued Israeli settlement activity." But she said, as reported by
Associated Press, the U.S. believes "it is unwise" for the UN's council
to attempt to resolve key issues between the Israelis and Palestinians.
