Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lighting a Hanukkah menorah at the Western Wall. Photo: Twitter.

JNS.org – Following Friday’s United Nations Security Council vote against Israeli settlements, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu toughened his government’s response against countries that supported Resolution 2334. In closed-door meetings Sunday, according to the Hebrew daily Israel Hayom, Netanyahu said, “Israel is strong, and I won’t let us be spit on. We will respond forcefully.”

Israel Hayom also reported that, as part of Israel’s response to the Security Council’s decision, Netanyahu’s office said he intends to work with President-elect Donald Trump and senior officials in his incoming administration “to negate the harmful effects of this absurd resolution.”

In a further response to the UN resolution, which states that the Western Wall is “occupied territory,” the prime minister lit the second Hanukkah candle at the Western Wall plaza Sunday evening.

“I didn’t plan on being here this evening,” Netanyahu said, “but in light of the UN decision, I thought there was no better place to light the Hanukkah candle than right here, the Western Wall. According to the UN decision, the Maccabees did not liberate Jerusalem; they conquered Palestinian territory. According to the UN decision, their villages, from the area of Modi’in and its surroundings, were occupied Palestinian territory. Of course, the Palestinians came much later, and I ask those countries who wish us a ‘Happy Hanukkah,’ how could they vote for a UN resolution that says the place we now stand and celebrate Hanukkah is occupied territory?”