Israel — Still Furious — Weakens Ties To UN Security Council States

<p>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered Israel&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="http://thehill.com/policy/defense/311842-israel-reduces-relations-with-12-security-council-countries-reports" target="_blank">diplomatic relations</a>&nbsp;with 12 countries on the U.N. Security Council to be reduced.&nbsp;</p><p>The Security Council voted 14-0 to condemn Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory.&nbsp;</p><p class="related"><span>Related Story</span><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/us-abstains-from-un-vote-condemning-israeli-settlements/"><img src="http://newsymain.npgroup.netdna-cdn.com/images/videos/356x200/1482536976.jpg" alt="Israel Isn't Happy With The US After UN Security Council Vote" />Israel Isn't Happy With The US After UN Security Council Vote</a></p><p>The small nation weakened its working ties with Britain, France, Russia, China, Japan, Ukraine, Angola, Egypt, Uruguay, Spain, Senegal and New Zealand after the countries voted for the resolution against Israel&#39;s expansion. Venezuela and Malaysia also supported the resolution but had no working diplomatic ties with Israel.&nbsp;</p><p>The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/25/politics/israel-un-settlements-netanyahu-ambassadors/index.html" target="_blank">brunt</a>&nbsp;of Netanyahu&#39;s fury landed in President Obama&#39;s lap, since the U.S. has veto power and historically has used it to protect Israel from these type of votes.&nbsp;</p><p>The U.S. ambassador to Israel was summoned to meet with Netanyahu, but Israeli ties to the U.S. remain intact for now.&nbsp;</p><p>Israeli ministers are now expected to travel to those countries as little as possible. And foreign ministers from those countries won&#39;t be recognized in Israel.&nbsp;</p><p class="related"><span>Related Story</span><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/israeli-bill-seeks-to-quiet-muslim-call-to-prayer/"><img src="http://newsymain.npgroup.netdna-cdn.com/images/videos/356x200/1481588349.jpg" alt="Some Israeli Lawmakers Want To Quiet Muslims' Call To Prayer" />Some Israeli Lawmakers Want To Quiet Muslims' Call To Prayer</a></p><p>The order to cut diplomatic ties has little real-world impact since it doesn&#39;t affect trade or military cooperation. Instead, it acts as a political statement.&nbsp;</p><p>Netanyahu&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pmo.gov.il/English/MediaCenter/Spokesman/Pages/spokestart251216.aspx" target="_blank">said he blamed</a>&nbsp;the Obama administration for orchestrating the vote. And he said he looks forward to working with President-elect Donald Trump, who&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/23/politics/us-israel-un-vote-donald-trump-netanyahu/" target="_blank">criticized</a>&nbsp;the vote.&nbsp;</p><hr><b>Trending stories at <a href="http://www.newsy.com">Newsy.com</a></b><ul class="inline-related-links"><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/shinzo-abe-s-pearl-harbor-visit-a-sign-of-changing-relations/">Japanese PM&#039;s Pearl Harbor Visit Shows How Far Japan, US Have Come</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/what-is-boxing-day/">What Is Boxing Day, Anyway?</a></li><li><a href="http://www.newsy.com/stories/russian-military-plane-carrying-alexandrov-ensemble-crashes/">Russian Military Plane Carrying Famed Choir Crashes, Killing 92</a></li></ul>