By voting by a huge majority (128-9) to reject the U.S. move on Jerusalem, the United Nations general assembly has delivered a clear message to Donald Trump that this adventurism and illegal and unjustified actions won’t be tolerated and the world won’t hush up at his threats.
The U.S. administration had tried to keep away nations from voting by issuing threatening statements. Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nation had earlier said that Washington would remember which countries disrespected U.S. by voting against it. The threats were ineffective as 128 nations voted in favor of the resolution supporting the longstanding international consensus that the status of Jerusalem – which is claimed as a capital by both Israel and the Palestinians – can only be settled as an agreed final issue in a peace deal.
Surprising, some of the countries that are major recipients of U.S. aid also voted in favor of the resolution, they included Afghanistan, Egypt and Iraq. Indian, another U.S. ally and a country that has in recent years developed close ties with Israel also voted in favor of the resolution. The once close U.S. ally, the United Kingdom was among the twenty-two of the 28 EU countries that voted in favor of the resolution.
Thirty-five countries including five EU states abstained from voting. Among other US allies those who abstained from voting included Australia, Canada, Colombia and Mexico. Only nine states, including the U.S. and Israel voted against the resolution. The other countries which supported U.S. were Togo, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands, Guatemala and Honduras.
Pakistan told the UN General Assembly that the U.S. decision was a clear violation of international law, and contrary to the provision of the Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on this issue.
In her address Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi said that, Pakistan regrets and rejects this action and urge the United States to rescind its decision. She added that, ‘We must also recommit to thwarting any and all attempts to violate the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, and the ultimate goal of a two-state solution.’
Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, described the historic vote as a victory for Palestine.
Despite the fact that the resolution was a mere rejection of the U.S. move and not a call for action it has given out a clear message. The resolution is also bound to affect American diplomatic ties with other countries. The resolution also gives a clear message to Israel that not just the Muslim Ummah but much of the world views Israel’s control of Jerusalem as illegal.