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This is a catalogue of events which took place during the final five and a half weeks of President Barack Obama’s Administration. Some have involved the USA directly, and I suspect some took the President and the Secretary of State by surprise. To my surprise the British Government played a significant role in opposing efforts to undermine Israel during this period.
I compiled this catalogue to accompany my article “Could Israel withdraw from the United Nations?” which I published as Donald Trump took control of the White House. Those wanting comment on the events of this period and their long term relevance should read that article, where I refer to this document in the footnote. I do not claim that this list is exhaustive; I have listed those reports I managed to find despite the failure of the British popular media to cover these events. (The list has been compiled from a British perspective.)
Links, which should open in a new tab/window, are provided without further comment by myself. Dates in bold are those on which significant events took place. Unbolded dates show when reports and comments were published.
© Randall Hardy – January
2017
www.amen.org.uk
May’s speech to the Conservative Friends of Israel – full text | Conservative Home
Chanukah 2016: Theresa May's message - News stories - GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chanukah-2016-theresa-mays-message
Israel’s Settlements Have No Legal Validity, Constitute Flagrant Violation of International Law, Security Council Reaffirms | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases
https://www.un.org/press/en/2016/sc12657.doc.htm
United Nations News Centre - UN chief welcomes Security Council resolution on Israeli settlements as ‘significant step’
https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=55874#.WGI9LrmmExJ
On-the-Record Press Call on the U.N. Security Council Resolution on Israeli Settlement Activity | whitehouse.gov
Today's Vote in the UN Security Council
https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2016/12/266070.htm
Israel rejects 'shameful' UN resolution amid criticism of Netanyahu | World news | The Guardian
Israel to stop funding UN institutions - Israel News - Jerusalem Post
Netanyahu: friends don't take friends to the Security Council | Reuters.com
http://www.reuters.com/video/2016/12/25/netanyahu-friends-dont-take-friends-to-t?videoId=370802269
Israeli PM summons US ambassador amid UN vote row - BBC News
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38431399
Remarks on Middle East Peace
https://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2016/12/266119.htm
Theresa May's criticism of John Kerry Israel speech sparks blunt US reply | Politics | The Guardian
UN Security Council Res. 2334: A Victory of Jihadism
https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/9725/security-council-resolution-israel
What you need to know about the anti-Israel Paris Conference | Messiah's MandateWhat you need to know about the anti-Israel Paris Conference - Messiah's Mandate
http://messiahsmandate.org/anti-israel-paris-conference/
Read full concluding statement of Paris peace conference - Israel News - Haaretz.com
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.765207
Do not abandon hope of two-state solution, world warns Israel and Trump | World news | The Guardian
Britain has 'reservations' about Paris Middle East peace talks | Reuters
http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-israeli-palestinians-britain-idUKKBN14Z0VB
Britain questions the purpose, and timing, of Paris summit - Arab-Israeli Conflict - Jerusalem Post
UK snubs Paris conference, sends only junior diplomats - Global Agenda - News
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/223326
Kerry to Benjamin Netanyahu: US won't support new UN resolution after Paris parley - Israel News - Jerusalem Post
In rare move, Britain blocks EU council from adopting Paris peace summit statement - Israel News - Haaretz.com
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.765399
Britain Vetoes Europe - The New York Sun
http://www.nysun.com/editorials/britain-vetoes-europe/89868/
Trump to Great Britain: “Veto any future anti-Israel UN Security Council resolution” | JerusalemOnline
Britain gets it right. Twice. What gives? | MelaniePhillips.com
http://melaniephillips.com/britain-gets-right-twice-gives/
United Nations News Centre - At Security Council, senior UN envoy cautions against 'unilateral' action in Middle East
https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=55989
Obama fears moment 'may be passing' for two-state solution - BBC News