Israel hits back after UN settlements resolution

In a broadcast address at a Hanukkah candle-lighting ceremony honoring wounded soldiers and the victims of terrorism on Saturday night, Netanyahu denounced Obama for his "shameful ambush," adding that he is looking forward to working with his "friend," president-elect Donald Trump, to undo the move.

Netanyahu said Israel will reassess its ties with the UN. He noted that he already ordered to cut 30 million shekels (about $8 million) in funding to five "especially hostile" UN bodies.

"I instructed the Foreign Ministry to complete within a month a re-evaluation of all our contacts with the United Nations, including the Israeli funding of UN institutions and the presence of UN representatives in Israel," he said.

Netanyahu also canceled a scheduled visit by Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, a day after it called back its envoys in New Zealand and Senegal, which together with Venezuela and Malaysia proposed the resolution.

The US, Israel's closest ally, traditionally protects Israel from such motions. On Friday, it abstained despite massive pressures by Israel and President-elect Donald Trump for Washington to use its veto.

The move came in the wake of the Regulation Bill, which the parliament approved in first out of three readings earlier in December. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition supports the bill.

About 500,000 Jewish settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, lands that Israel seized in the 1967 Mideast War and has been controlling them ever since, despite international condemnations.

The Palestinians wish to build their future state in these lands.

The US officially opposes the settlements and considers them as an obstacle to peace. The settlements are illegal under international law.