White House defends decision to abstain in UN vote on settlements
WASHINGTON -- The White House on Friday defended its decision to abstain from a UN Security Council vote on Israeli settlements, allowing the resolution to pass, saying the rapid expansion of settlement activity put a two-state solution at risk.
Ben Rhodes, the White House's deputy national security adviser, also dismissed criticism by President-elect Donald Trump of the US decision saying President Barack Obama was president of the United States until Jan. 20.
"We could not in good conscience veto a resolution that expressed concerns about the very trends that are eroding the foundation for a two-state solution," Rhodes told a conference call.
