The Egyptian-drafted resolution had been withdrawn after Israel asked Donald Trump to intervene but it was proposed again by Malaysia, New Zealand, Senegal and Venezuela.The US has traditionally sheltered Israel from condemnatory resolutions.Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not abide by the vote.The Palestinian leadership welcomed the resolution, which was passed by 14 votes to zero, with one abstention.President-elect Trump, who will be inaugurated on 20 January, tweeted after the vote: "As to the UN, things will be different after Jan. 20th."The issue of Jewish settlements is one of the most contentious between Israel and the Palestinians, who see them as an obstacle to peace.About 500,000 Jews live in about 140 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The settlements are considered illegal under international law, though Israel disputes this.
The settlements in the West Bank are condemnable, but honestly I don't see the point in the US abstaining. American policy/interests in the Middle East are going to be aligned with Israel regardless.