Arab League chief slams US veto of UN draft on protecting Palestinians

The Arab League on Saturday condemned the US decision to veto a UN draft resolution calling for measures to protect Palestinians amid a deadly crackdown by Israeli forces.

The league's head, Ahmed Abul Gheit, made the remarks in a statement  on Saturday, saying the move will embolden Israeli authorities in its campaign of shooting and killing protesters.

"The US' current approach to continue obstructing the passing of any resolution to end the bloodshed of innocent Palestinians encourages Israel to continue its oppressive practices," Abul Gheit said.

He said that the Israeli killings of protesters "fell outside of international law and failed to create an atmosphere conducive for negotiations".

The head of the Cairo-based organisation also expressed disappointment that the UK, the Netherlands, Poland and Ethiopia abstained from voting.

Ten countries including China, France and Russia voted on Friday in favour of the draft put forward by Kuwait on behalf of Arab countries at the Security Council.

A draft resolution requires nine votes to be adopted in the 15-member council and no veto from the five permanent members - the UK, China, France, Russia and the United States.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley told the council the measure was "wildly inaccurate in its characterisation of recent events in Gaza" by condemning Israel for the violence.

The Kuwait-drafted text had called for "measures to guarantee the safety and protection" of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, and requested a UN report to propose an "international protection mechanism."

Ahead of the vote, a young Palestinian nurse was shot dead by Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border fence, bringing the death toll of those killed by Israeli fire since protests began on 30 March to 123.

They Israeli killings peaked on 14 May, when at least 61 Palestinians were killed as tens of thousands of Gazans protested on the same day of the US transfer of its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

At least 123 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and more than 10,000 have been injured since mass demonstrations began on March 30.

No Israelis have been killed and only a few soldiers have suffered minor injuries.

The protests - dubbed "Great Return March" - have centred on the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes, after they were expelled following the 1948 creation of Israel.

Protesters have also demonstrated against the crippling decade-long Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip.