Palestinians furious at US veto of UN resolution

Palestinians expressed their anger Saturday at the US decision to veto a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israel's offensive in the Gaza Strip. "The Palestinian government strongly condemns the American veto. This decision by the US government gives a green light to Israel to continue its acts of slaughter," said Ghazi Hamad, a spokesman for the Hamas-led government. "This is a shame on the American administration, which says it is trying to promote human rights and democracy in the Middle East." Nabil Abu Rudaina, spokesman for Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, expressed similar sentiments. He said that the veto "encourages Israel to continue its attacks against the Palestinians." Some Palestinian terrorists threatened to attack US targets following the veto.