U.S. Overrules U.N. On Israel Vote

The United States vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution on Thursday condemning Israel's killing of Hamas leader Ahmed Yassin. Critics said the veto condoned Israel's policy of assassinating militant leaders.

The vote came after days of debate. The United States had demanded that the resolution also condemn violence by Hamas and other militant groups, and that it identify them by name. Algeria, the resolution's sponsor, had resisted.

The resolution "is silent about the terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas," U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte said before the vote. He called the measure "unbalanced, one-sided."

The vote was 11 countries in favor, three countries abstaining and one country — the United States — against.

Yassin, the spiritual leader of Hamas, was killed in a missile strike Monday morning in the Gaza Strip. Israel has warned that all other leaders of the group could be targeted.

Hamas has claimed responsibility for dozens of bombings and shootings of Israelis during 3 1/2 years of violence. Israel says it is targeting the group's leaders to stop such attacks, but critics say killing suspects without arresting or trying them violates international law.

The United States disapproves of the Israeli policy, but feels pressure to stand by Israel and remain tough on terrorism.

"Israel's action has escalated tensions in Gaza and the region ... but events must be considered in their context," Negroponte said.

On Wednesday, the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva voted 31-2 to condemn Israel for Yassin's death, but the body has no power to punish countries. A resolution by the Security Council would have carried more international weight.

Only five members of the Security Council — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France — can veto the body's resolutions. Thursday's veto is the United States' 79th and the latest in a long string of vetoes regarding Israel.

The Soviet Union and Russia have cast the most Security Council vetoes over the years, 121. Britain has cast 32, France 18 and China, 5.