WASHINGTON, November 14, 2006 (WAFA)- The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) strongly condemns Tuesday the United States veto of a United Nations Security Council Resolution criticizing Israel's massacre on Beit Hanoun.

In a press release, the ADC said that Last week, international condemnation followed the Israeli artillery attack which left nineteen Palestinians dead in the town of Beit Hanun.

"Eighteen of the dead were civilians from the same family, eight children and seven women were among those killed. The Beit Hanun massacre comes as part of an ongoing assault on Palestinians in Gaza which has left nearly 70 dead in recent weeks", ADC added.

It asks members to contact the White House and State Department to register their strong opposition to the US veto at the United Nations on this resolution.

"The US Ambassador to the United Nations, John Bolton, remarked to the Security Council that the resolution "does not display an even-handed characterization of the recent events in Gaza, nor does it advance the cause of Israeli-Palestinian peace", ADC said.

ADC called on USA to maintain a balanced approach and "one that is cognizant of our own national security interests in our relations with the Middle East".

M.H.(09:45 P)(07:45 GMT)