President Obama, in the waning days of his presidency, is settling an old score in a mean, petulant, and irresponsible manner. His utter disdain for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is well known. Obama broke with decades-old tradition by both Democratic and Republican administrations by standing with the mostly anti-Semitic United Nations in their resolution condemning Israel. This will cause lasting damage and hamper peace attempts for years as the new incoming president cannot undo this resolution. Secretary of State John Kerry, in his weak defense of this despicable act, spoke mostly about Jewish settlements. In 2005, in an attempt for peace, the Israeli Army bulldozed and forcibly removed Jewish settlers. The answer from the PLO/Hamas was thousands of rockets fired into the homes and businesses of Israel.

How can you negotiate a two-state solution when the Hamas-run PLO does not even recognize the right of Israel to exist? Their charter calls for the death and destruction of Israel and they teach their children to hate all Jews. That is the main impediment to peace, not the settlements. Shame on President Obama, John Kerry, and all those supporting this resolution.

Michael Poling

Norwich