UN rejects US proposal to condemn Hamas

By Michael Hernandez</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – The UN General Assembly narrowly rejected a U.S.-sponsored resolution Thursday seeking to condemn Hamas. </p> <p>The resolution, backed strongly by Israel and the U.S., needed a two-thirds majority to pass following an earlier vote in the assembly. </p> <p>The vote ultimately failed to cross the higher threshold, with 87 nations voting in favor and 57 voting against. Thirty-three countries abstained.</p> <p>The resolution was one of outgoing U.S. UN envoy Nikki Haley's final actions in the international body before she departs her post at year's end. </p> <p>Jason Greenblatt, U.S. President Donald Trump's chief Middle East peace envoy, lashed out at the vote, calling it &quot;absolutely shameful&quot; on Twitter. </p> <p>&quot;@UN failed to condemn #Hamas even after years of attacks via suicide bombings, kidnappings, missiles, &amp; more against Israelis. The applause after the vote says it all,&quot; he said. </p> <p>*Betul Yuruk contributed to this story from the United Nations