US veto: Palestinians slate, Israel hails

By: Ahmad Hammadi

HELD JERUSALEM: Israel welcomed a US veto of a draft UN resolution that condemned the assassination of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin while Palestinians said Friday the United States has granted Israel a license to kill by vetoing the move.

“Israel is very appreciative of the steadfastness demonstrated by President George W. Bush's US administration, which once again defended the principles of the fight against terrorism,” Israeli government adviser Dore Gold said.

The United States on Thursday vetoed the UN Security Council resolution introduced by Arab nations to condemn Israel for assassinating Yassin.

A total of eleven countries: Spain, China, Pakistan, Russia, France, Angola, Chile, Algeria, Benin, Brazil and the Philippines voted in favor. Britain, Germany and Romania abstained.

Palestinian representatives said they would take the resolution to the 191-member United Nations General Assembly.

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