Israel today denounced a non-binding resolution adopted by the UN General Assembly overnight, which calls for observers to be sent to the occupied Palestinian territories.
"Israel can only reject such a resolution, whose manifest intention is to divert the attention of the international community to the need to combat terrorism," foreign ministry spokesman Yaffa Ben Ari told AFP.
The Palestinian-sponsored resolution, debated in an emergency session last night that was demanded by the Arab League and the non-aligned movement, passed by an overwhelming majority.
An earlier version was torpedoed last Saturday in the Security Council by the United States, which said it ignored facts on the ground, particularly a recent spate of deadly Palestinian bombings in Israel and the territories.
The General Assembly passed a separate resolution condemning Israeli settlements in the territories, including Jerusalem, calling them illegal and an obstacle to peace.
AFP