The decision by the United Nations to allow Syria to sit on the Security Council has officially been met with silence in Jerusalem. However, unnamed government sources have severely criticized the move, calling it \"pure cynicism,\" \"an absurdity,\" and \"nonsensical.\" An overwhelming majority of 160 out of 178 countries voted in a secret ballot to allow Syria to sit on the Council, despite the UN Charter\'s stipulations that countries should be voted onto the council based on their \"contribution to international peace and security.\" Syria is the headquarters and financial backer for several Palestinian, Lebanese, and other terrorist groups, and has been designated by the US as a state sponsor of terrorism. The United States did not oppose Syria\'s candidacy for the Council. \"It is really a sheer absurdity and sheer nonsense to have Syria as a member of the Security Council,\" said Israeli Ambassador to the UN Yehuda Lancry.