Senegal on Sunday defended its vote at the United Nations Security Council to halt Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory, after Israel decided to recall its ambassador to Dakar and to suspend its aid programme.
“Senegal’s position must be saluted. The international community hails Senegal’s stance, especially the Muslim nations,” government spokesperson Seydou Gueye said in a statement carried by national television.
“Senegal abided by its diplomatic vision. Since 1975, Senegal has been a member of the (UN) Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People,” Gueye said.
Senegal, one of the UN Security Council’s 10 non-permanent members, re-established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1995.
The landmark UN resolution was passed Friday after the United States abstained.
That enabled the adoption of the first UN resolution since 1979 to condemn Israel over its settlement policy.
After the resolution passed, Israel recalled its ambassadors to Senegal and New Zealand for consultations.
