The issue of an international \"peacekeeping\" force in Judea and Samaria is now moot. The U.S. imposed a veto on the idea last night in the UN Security Council. The Palestinians plan to raise the proposal again before the General Council, but it will have no practical effect. Former Israeli Ambassador to Israel Zalman Shoval, a top aide to Prime Minister Sharon, said that not only did the U.S. veto the idea, but the European countries on the Security Council abstained in the vote, \"and this is also an achievement for Israel. Arafat\'s approach of increasing the terrorism has damaged him to the extent that even the Europeans were not willing to agree with the Palestinian proposal.\"



\"Does this decision now pave the way for stronger military actions by Israel against the terrorism?\" asked Arutz-7\'s Ariel Kahane. Shoval said, \"I believe that the government would in any event have decided, and will decide - if it does decide - on strong military actions, regardless of the UN decision... The lack of U.S. objections to Israeli moves shows that they understand our position that negotiations cannot take place under fire.\"