Obama defends 2016 absention on anti-Israel UN resolution

Obama attempted to defend his decision to abstain on an anti-Israel resolution at the United Nations Security Council, thus allowing it to pass unanimously.

By: JNS.org

Former President Barack Obama this week defended his controversial decision to allow a December 2016 United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution condemning Israel’s presence in eastern Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria to pass in the waning days of his administration, blaming the “skyrocketing” pace of Israeli construction.

“The pace of settlement construction skyrocketed, making it almost impossible to make any kind of Palestinian state,” Obama said during a talk at Temple Emanu-El in New York City on Wednesday, the Daily Mail reported.

“Voting against the resolution would have damaged our credibility on affirming human rights only when it’s convenient, not when it has to do with ourselves and our friends,” the former president said.

At the time, the Obama administration refused to use US veto power in the Security Council to block Resolution 2334, breaking with decades of American policy of defending Israel against one-sided UN measures targeting the Jewish state.

Obama also downplayed America’s relatively strained relationship with Israel under his administration, arguing that his decisions on the Jewish state were reflective of the strong bonds between the countries.

“To be a true friend of Israel it is important to be honest about it, and the politics of this country sometimes do not allow for it,” Obama said.

Obama pointed to the September 2016 signing of a historically large $38 billion US military aid package to Israel as a sign that he is a staunch supporter of the country.

“It is not a subject for dispute,” Obama said, explaining that his staff joked often that he was “basically a liberal Jew.”