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Palestinians: UN to Vote Friday on Israeli Settlements

by Associated Press

   The Palestinian mission to the United Nations says the Security Council
   will vote Friday on a resolution condemning Israel's settlement
   construction, now sponsored by New Zealand, Malaysia, Senegal and
   Venezuela.

   The mission said the vote would take place Friday but no time has been
   set.

   Egypt, the Arab representative on the Security Council, initially
   circulated the resolution and called for a vote Thursday but
   indefinitely postponed the vote.

   U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has not criticized Israeli
   construction in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and has announced he
   will nominate a pro-settlement ambassador, spoke to Egypt's president
   early Friday, after the postponement was announced.

   The U.S., along with the Palestinians and nearly all of the
   international community, opposes Israeli settlements in the West Bank
   and east Jerusalem as obstacles to peace.

   All eyes will be on the U.S. vote on Friday--whether the Obama
   administration abstains or vetoes the resolution.