Defying UN, Israel prepares to build more settlements

Undeterred by a defeat at the UN, the Israeli government has said that it would move ahead with building thousands of new homes in the disputed West Bank area, a media report said on Tuesday.

According to the report, the city intends to approve 600 housing units in the predominantly Palestinian eastern section of town on Wednesday in what a top official called the first instalment on 5,600 new homes.

Israel also warned nations against pursuing further action, declaring that it does not "turn the other cheek", the New York Times reported.

Netanyahu seeks to rally Israelis against Obama

This followed the Dec 23 Security Council vote, demanding Israel "immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem". The resolution passed 14-0, with the US abstaining.

A Jewish man covered in a prayer shawl, prays in the Jewish settler outpost of Amona in the West Bank Dec 18, 2016. Reuters

Just days after the vote, Jerusalem's government signalled that it would not back down.

The defiant posture reflected a bristling anger among Israel's pro-settlement political leaders, who not only blamed the US for failing to block the Council resolution, but also claimed that President Barack Obama's team orchestrated it.

American officials strongly denied the claim, but the sides seem poised for weeks of further conflict, until Obama hands over the presidency to Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also lashed out at the Security Council countries by curbing diplomatic contacts, recalling envoys, cutting off aid and summoning the American ambassador for a scolding.

He cancelled a planned visit this week by Ukraine's Prime Minister even as he expressed concern on Monday that Obama was planning more action at the UN before his term ends next month.