US vetoes UN resolution on withdrawing Trump's Jerusalem decision - All other members voted in favor of the document

RT
Mon, 18 Dec 2017 19:29 UTC

© Brendan McDermid / Reuters
The United Nations Security Council meets on the situation in the Middle East, including Palestine, at U.N. Headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., December 18, 2017 Brendan McDermid / Reuters

The US has vetoed the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Jerusalem, which had demanded the American decision recognizing the city as the Israeli capital be withdrawn. All other UNSC members voted in favor of the document.

The US exercised its veto right to "defend its sovereignty" as well as its role in the Middle East, Washington's envoy to the UN, Nikki Haley, said. She also repeatedly stated that US President Donald Trump's decision to officially recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital is "fully consistent" and "in line with the previous UN resolutions."

Other members of the UNSC remained unconvinced by Haley's speech. The French envoy to the UN said in his speech that the US still "should explain compatibility of its decision [on Jerusalem] with the international consensus." He also added that France "regrets" the outcome of the vote that has become a symbol of 14 UNSC members' willingness to "confirm their attachment to international law."

Comment: The UN Security Council is expected to vote Monday on a resolution confirming the international status of Jerusalem and outlawing any changes to it - which implies the recent US move to recognize it as the capital of Israel.

The text of the document, drafted by Egypt, which was seen by Reuters, says 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status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council."

It does not specifically mention the US or its recent decision to officially recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, but it implies a call on Washington to withdraw it. The text also mentions "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem."