Israel is angrily evaluating its current standing in the international community of nations. (Shades of Digong Duterte, huh?)
This, after the UN Security Council recently passed a resolution demanding a stop to the continuing build-up of Israeli settlements in areas captured by Israel during the 1967 Gulf War with its Arab neighbors.
The settlements at issue are located in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.
Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu is irked and enraged more by the fact that the United States, its strongest ally in the UN, did not use its veto power to prevent the passage of the resolution which Netanyahu described as “strongly biased against Israel.”
“I have already instructed the Foreign Ministry to complete within a month a re-evaluation of all our contacts with the UN including the Israeli-funding of UN institutions and the presence of UN representatives in Israel,” the PM said in broadcast news.
In so doing, the amount of 30 million shekels ($7.8M) to five (5) UN institutions that are especially hostile to Israel have been put off, citing a biblical connection to the land.
Netanyahu is miffed that, despite advise from newly-elected US president Donald trump, outgoing Chief Executive Barack Obama refused to use the US’ veto power, thereby breaking the 35 years of US-Israel alliance.
The Israeli leader called the UN Security Council resolution “a moral farce” and “obsessive bias against Israel.”
“Friends don’t take friends to the Security Council,” Netanyahu told a stunned US Sec. of State John Kerry.
Aren’t we reminded of Pres. Digong Duterte’s blast against the American’s colonial mentality and his tirade about cutting ties with the UN recently?
Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev assailed the US and Obama’s inaction in published news. “Since he (Obama) took office in 2009, he has been hostile to settlements and Netanyahu. He revealed his true face with an anti-Israeli decision.”
In fact, there is fear this could result to an escalation as Netanyahu, after dialoguing with his Likud Party, warned of “further potential actions Obama might take before he leaves office Jan. 20” next year.
Calling the US action as a “deliberate deception,’” Netanyahu immediately summoned the ambassadors of Russia, France, China, UK, Angola, Egypt, Japan, Uruguay, Ukraine and Spain.
These were the ten countries who voted in favour of the resolution that, ironically, have diplomatic ties with Israel.
Without any reservations, Netanyahu was reported to have expressed his indignation, deep anger and dissatisfaction as a result of the vote of countries that consider themselves “friends of Israel.”
Now, if you don’t call this a betrayal of trust, wouldn’t you now react with favour on the outbursts of Pres. Duterte against US Pres. Obama and UN Sec-General Ban Ki Moon?
Those who are not knowledgeable and familiar with the Middle East affairs and the situation of Israel usually cast the first stone in pre-judging Duterte’s diatribes against the US and the UN.
Let us be vigilant and continue watching this eerie development with alert ears and eyes as the Israel issue is as hot and steamy as the newly-baked pan de sal at the corner store. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) God bless the Philippines!
