Israel presses on after UN vote calling for Palestinian membership

In an act seen by many as symbolizing Israel's continued disregard for United Nations resolutions and calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, Gilad Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the UN, shredded a small copy of the UN Charter on Friday during a live broadcast of a special session of the UN General Assembly.

To the Palestinians who are suffering, "this clownish behavior of the Israeli envoy at the UN is a promising sign that Israel is more isolated than ever in the eyes of the international community", Muslim Imran, director of the Malaysia-based Asia Middle East Center for Research and Dialogue, told China Daily.

Erdan's action came just before the General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a resolution asking the UN Security Council to make Palestine a full UN member. He also strongly criticized his peers for supporting the resolution.