On Friday, the Obama administration allowed the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution demanding an end to Israeli settlements, defying pressure from US President-elect Donald Trump as well as Israel and several US senators who urged Washington to use its veto power.

New Zealand, Malaysia, Venezuela and Senegal put the resolution forward for vote at the 15-member council, a day after Egypt withdrew it under pressure from Israel and US President-elect Donald Trump.

It was adopted with 14 votes in favour, to a round of applause. It is the first resolution the Security Council has adopted on Israel and the Palestinians in nearly eight years. The US decision to abstain was a relatively rare step by Washington, which usually shields Israel from such action.

The US abstention was seen as a parting shot by US President Barack Obama, who has had an acrimonious relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and who has made settlements a major target of peace efforts that have proven ultimately futile.

The resolution demanded that Israel ‘immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem’ and said the establishment of settlements by Israel has ‘no legal validity and constitutes a flagrant violation under international law.’

A resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the US, France, Russia, Britain or China to be adopted.

Meanwhile, Palestinian officials said the adoption of the resolution ‘is a big blow for Israeli policies.’

Palestinian presidency spokesman Abu Rudeina said the move was “an international and unanimous condemnation of settlements and strong support for the two-state solution.”

Saeb Erakat, a former peace negotiator and the No.2 in the Palestine Liberation Organisation, spoke of a ‘historic day.’

“December 23 is a historic day and a victory for international legitimacy, international law and international documents,” said Erakat.