President-elect Donald Trump chastised the Obama administration for allowing Israel to be treated with “disdain and disrespect,” just before Secretary of State John Kerry made delivered a speech criticizing Israeli policies.
“We cannot continue to let Israel be treated with such total disdain and disrespect,” Trump said in a series of tweets Wednesday. “They used to have a great friend in the U.S., but not anymore.”
Trump’s comments preceded Kerry’s speech admonishing Israel for its settlement building policy in the West Bank, which Kerry claimed is hampering a peaceful solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Kerry also spoke out against Palestinian terrorism and incitement, but spent a significant portion of his speech criticizing the Israeli government and settlers.
“The beginning of the end was the horrible Iran deal, and now this (U.N.)!” added Trump. “Stay strong Israel, January 20th is fast approaching.”
The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution condemning Israel’s settlement building policy Friday. The Obama administration abstained from the vote, effectively allowing the bill to pass.
Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were infuriated by the move, which they claim is a major break from long-standing U.S. policy preventing anti-Israel resolutions at the U.N. As a permanent member of the Security Council, the U.S. holds veto power over any resolutions brought forward.
Netanyahu promised to work with the incoming Trump administration in response to Obama’s decision. That said, it is possible the U.N. could bring forward more measures against Israel before the Obama administration leaves office on Jan. 20.
Trump promised to roll back the Iran nuclear agreement, which Israel strongly opposed, during his campaign. He also has vowed to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, which some consider controversial.
“President-elect Trump, thank you for your warm friendship and your clear-cut support for Israel,” said Netanyahu in a tweet responding to Trump’s comments.
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