US rejects UN resolution calling for Israel withdrawal

THE United States has vetoed an Arab-backed resolution demanding Israel immediately end military operations in the northern Gaza Strip and withdraw its troops, saying the measure was “lopsided and unbalanced” and “absolves terrorists in the Middle East”.

The vote in the 15-member Security Council was 11 in favour, one against, and three abstentions - by Britain, Germany and Romania.

It was followed by a chorus of denunciations of the US vote, with critics saying it paralyses action on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.