The Palestinian Authority reacted quickly Friday to the US veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlement activities in the Palestinian territories saying it does not help the peace process, DPA reported.
The United States voted against the resolution, which in addition to condemning Israeli settlements, describing them as illegal, calls on Israel to stop all settlement activities in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. The other 14 Security Council members voted in favor.
Palestinian presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said: "the US veto does not help the peace process."
He said that the veto "only encourages Israel to continue in its settlement activities and to avoid meeting its peace obligations."
He expressed surprise at the US veto, saying it "will only further complicate the situation in the Middle East."