Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with his cabinet Sunday to discuss the plan of action his government will need to take against the United Nations after the international body's security council voted last week to ban Israel from building settlements in land claimed by the Palestinians.
Most have labeled the resolution anti-Israel and it only passed because the Obama administration abstained from vetoing it — which was a break from all previous U.S. policy regarding Israel.
Israel's first move was summoning all ambassadors from countries that voted in-favor of the resolution, including those from permanent U.N. Security Council countries like France, U.K., China and Russia.
According to the Associated Press, Israel's Foreign Ministry also summoned their U.S. ambassador.
"We will do all it takes so Israel emerges unscathed from this shameful decision," Netanyahu said during the meeting, according to the AP.
Other top Israeli officials piled on, continuing to lament over the perceived betrayal of the U.S.
"We feel betrayed, extremely frustrated. We are angry. This is not how you treat friends," one cabinet member, Yuval Steinitz, was quoted as saying.
The resolution's immediate impact appears to be largely symbolic, but Israel fears it could open the door to an increase in international steps, including economic measures. Much of the international community considers the settlements illegal or illegitimate and an obstacle to peace — but that's disregarding the fact that Israel is a sovereign, diplomatic country.
In addition to the pledges made Sunday, Netanyahu canceled his upcoming meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May. Additionally, Israel recalled its ambassadors to New Zealand and Senegal for consultations and canceled a planned January visit to Israel by Senegal's foreign minister. A visit by Ukraine's prime minister has also been canceled in light of its support for the U.N. vote and Israel has pledged to cut millions of shekels in funding to certain U.N. agencies.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
Chris Enloe
Staff Writer
