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Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the United Nations (here August 28, 2018). REUTERS / Carlo Allegri

The United States failed Thursday to condemn the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas by the UN General Assembly, the resolution of US Ambassador Nikki Haley not garnering the necessary majority for its adoption. Previously, Kuwait, in a vote won by only three votes, obtained a rule of a two-thirds majority is applied to the US text despite strong criticism Nikki Haley.

The United States text received only 87 votes, including those from the European Union. Fifty-seven countries voted against and 33 abstained. " A simple majority is required, " had pleaded in vain Nikki Haley before the poll, held an hour late because of " last-minute negotiations ," according to the presidency of the General Assembly.

This body, whose resolutions have no binding value, "never said anything about Hamas," added the American diplomat, denouncing a "double standard" policy at the expense of Israel. " The decision (of a procedural vote) is to hinder " the adoption of the US resolution, " and my brother from Kuwait knows it very well, " added the US ambassador.

The two-thirds rule was approved by 75 votes, with 72 countries against - including the European Union - and 26 States abstaining.

The presentation of its resolution, supported by the EU after a slight addition of vague language to support a Middle East peace solution on the basis of the " relevant resolutions " already adopted at the UN, was one of the last feats of arms of Nikki Haley, who recently announced leaving office at the end of the year.

"A slap for the Trump administration"

According to diplomats, Nikki Haley, an unconditional supporter of Israel, made the condemnation of Hamas " a very personal affair ". His draft text condemned " Hamas for repeated firing of rockets into Israel and incitement to violence, putting the lives of civilians at risk ." He demanded " that Hamas and other militant entities including Palestinian Islamic Jihad cease all provocations and violent activities including the use of incendiary air-craft ".

Under pressure from Europeans, Palestinians and Arab countries had given up on amending the US text to include precise reminders of resolutions related to the call for an end to the Israeli occupation, the status of East Jerusalem and the two-state solution within the recognized borders in 1967, widely supported in the world. They turned their amendment into a draft resolution to be voted on in the afternoon at the UN General Assembly.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya complained on November 28 of the US move in a rare letter to the presidency of the UN General Assembly. The missive, delivered to the UN representative in Gaza, never reached its destination. It was transmitted to the only legitimate power recognized by the United Nations, namely the Palestinian Authority, which still has it in hand, according to a UN source. According to Hamas, the failure of the UN vote on the US resolution is " a slap for the Trump administration ".