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Jerusalem: Defying US warning, majority backs UN resolution

Just Earth News | @justearthnews | 22 Dec 2017

#DonaldTrump   #US   #UN   #Jerusalem   #Palestine   #Israel  

Jerusalem: Defying US warning, majority backs UN resolution

New York, Dec 22 (JEN): Defying the US warning, 128 nations supported the UN resolution that declared 'America's coronation of Jerusalem as Israel's capital' null and void, on Thursday.

Out of the 193 states in the UN General Assembly, nine voted against the resolution, while 35 nations, including Canada and Mexico, did not vote.

The remaining 21 countries did not turn up for the non-binding resolution.

US had warned of tax cuts and before the vote began, reiterated their status once more.

Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the UN said, "America will put our embassy in Jerusalem. That is what the American people want us to do and it is the right thing to do. 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.”

She also put up a list on Twitter, thanking countries who didn't defy the US decision.

Those who condemned Trump's decision on Jerusalem, said in a text that they expresses deep regret at recent decision made by the US.

"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status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council," the text read.

The result of the vote also riled Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the UN a 'house of lies'.

However, Israel has thanked Trump for his 'equivocal position in favour of Jerusalem'.

In a statement, the Middle Eastern nation said, "Israel thanks President Trump for his unequivocal position in favour of Jerusalem and thanks those countries that voted alongside Israel, alongside the truth."

Reacting on the development, Palestine said it was a victory for them.

Trump on Wednesday had blamed several nations of taking help from US and not returning the favour when needed.

The US President told reporters at the White House, "All of these nations that take our money and then they vote against us at the Security Council or they vote against us, potentially, at the Assembly, they take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us."

"Well, we’re watching those votes,” he added. “Let them vote against us; we’ll save a lot. We don’t care.”

 

Image: twitter.com/nikkihaley