The United States yesterday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that called on Israel to drop its threat to harm or expel Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The U.S. was the only Security Council member to oppose the resolution. Three countries abstained from the vote. Palestinians negotiations minister Saeb Erakat responded to the vote by saying “The US veto is a black day for the UN and for the Arabs. I hope that Israel does not understand the decision to kill the resolution as a licence to kill President Arafat.