"Israel deeply appreciates the decision by President Obama to veto the Security Council resolution," a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu`s office said after the council session on Friday night.
"Israel remains committed to pursuing comprehensive peace with all our neighbours, including the Palestinians," it said. "We seek a solution that will reconcile the Palestinians` legitimate aspirations for statehood with Israel`s need for security and recognition."
Israel`s foreign ministry called for a resumption of direct peace talks between the sides.
"It`s a short way between Ramallah and Jerusalem, and all the Palestinians should do is to return to the negotiating table without preconditions," ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor said in a statement.
"Only thus, and not through seizing the Security Council, will it be possible to advance the peace process so as to benefit both parties and to serve the cause of peace and security throughout the region."
Fourteen of the 15 Security Council members voted in favour of the resolution which condemned Israel`s settlement activity in the Palestinian territories and called for a halt to it.
But Washington used its veto, effectively killing the resolution, in the first time the administration of President Barack Obama has wielded such power at the United Nations.
US-brokered peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians stalled in late 2010 after the expiry of a temporary freeze on Jewish settlement building in the West Bank.
Efforts by Washington to coax Israel into reimposing a freeze collapsed in December, and the Palestinians are refusing to continue negotiating while Israel builds on land they want for their promised state.(*)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
