President Barack Obama says “despite all the noise and hullabaloo” the United States and Israel are still close allies and the recent anti-Israel UN resolution has not damaged the military, intelligence ties between Washington and Tel Aviv.
The UN Security Council voted 14-0 last month to pass Resolution 2334, which demanded an immediate end to Israel’s “illegal” settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories. The US decided to abstain – and not veto – the resolution, allowing it to be adopted.
In his final interview on CBS’s “60 Minutes” on Sunday night, the outgoing president acknowledged that it was his decision not to veto the resolution condemning Israel’s settlements.
Host Steve Kroft said America’s abstention during the voting on Resolution 2334 “caused a major fallout between the United States and Israel,” and asked Obama, “Was it your decision to abstain?”
“Yes, ultimately,” Obama replied. “I…