A motion rejecting the United States' decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital was approved by a resounding vote in the United Nations, despite President Donald Trump's threat to cut off funding. The resolution was adopted by the 193-member General Assembly by 128 to nine with 35 abstentions. The move has been described as a “massive setback” for the US. US Ambassador Nikki Haley gave a warning saying the United States “will remember this day”.
She added, “America will put our embassy in Jerusalem. No vote in the United Nations will make any difference on that. But this vote will make a difference on how Americans look at the UN and on how we look at countries who disrespect us in the UN. When we make generous contributions to the UN we also have a legitimate expectation that our goodwill is recognised and respected.” The resolution strengthens the point that the status of Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations, and that any decision reached outside of that framework must be rescindedn.
It “affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the vote showed the “illegality” of Trump's decision. Meanwhile Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed out at the UN, calling it a “house of lies”. Additional 21 countries failed to turn up on the vote. Ukraine said it supported the same resolution in the Security Council, hinting that the US threats did have a chilling effect on some governments.
