United Nations votes overwhelmingly against Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital – ignoring his threat to take cash away from countries defying the U.S.

  • United Nations held emergency General Assembly session Thursday over Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital
  • Member nations voted 128-9 with 35 abstentions on a resolution regretting 'recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem'
  • 'Decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem ... are null and void'
  • Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador, had already vetoed a similar resolution Monday in the Security Council 
  • Donald Trump says he could cut cash to countries that voted against the U.S.
  • Haley warned Thursday that America will remember the tally when other nations ask it to continue funding the UN at a disproportionate level
  • Diplomats expected strong support for the resolution – which is symbolic and nonbinding
  • 'Israel completely rejects this preposterous resolution. Jerusalem is our capital, always was, always will be,' Benjamin Netanyahu said in response

In an emergency session, the United Nations voted overwhelmingly Thursday to condemn the U.S. for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and pledging to relocate its embassy there.

The vote was 128–9, with 35 abstentions. Only Guatemala, Honduras, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Togo joined the United States and Israel in opposing the measure. Another 21 countries didn't show up to vote.

The resolution is symbolic and nonbinding, and won't likely change President Donald Trump's course of action. But it declared 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status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded.'

American ambassador Nikki Haley blasted anti-Israel member nations during a pre-vote debate, warning that there would be a price to pay for standing in President Donald Trump's way. 

'This vote will be remembered,' she said as the entire UN General Assembly looked on.

'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,' Haley lectured from the central podium.

'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.'

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America's United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley warned Thursday that America will remember who voted against Donald Trump's decision to move a U.S. embassy to Jerusalem when it comes time for other nations ask for ever-increasing funding of the UN itself

America's United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley warned Thursday that America will remember who voted against Donald Trump's decision to move a U.S. embassy to Jerusalem when it comes time for other nations ask for ever-increasing funding of the UN itself

But in a 128-9 shellacking, with 35 nations abstaining, the UN voted to condemn Trump's historic pro-Israel move

But in a 128-9 shellacking, with 35 nations abstaining, the UN voted to condemn Trump's historic pro-Israel move

Riyad Mansour (R), Palestine's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, walked past a glaring Haley on Thursday at the UN in New York City

Riyad Mansour (R), Palestine's Permanent Observer to the United Nations, walked past a glaring Haley on Thursday at the UN in New York City

The UN General Assembly debated in advance of a nonbinding, symbolic vote condemning America's decision to recognize Jerusalem (shown) as Israel's capital and move its embassy there from Tel Aviv

The UN General Assembly debated in advance of a nonbinding, symbolic vote condemning America's decision to recognize Jerusalem (shown) as Israel's capital and move its embassy there from Tel Aviv

President Donald Trump had already threatened a day earlier to cut aid funding to countries that vote for the measure, which Ambassador Nikki Haley vetoed Monday in a 14-1 tally.  

He ignored a torrent of shouted questions after Thursday's vote as he left the White House for a visit to wounded soldiers at a nearby military hospital. 

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters that 'the UN vote is not the only factor that the administration would take into consideration in dealing with our foreign relations, and countries who have chosen to vote one way or the other.'

Nauert also said she had received a note from the National Security Council at the White House, and insisted that 'the president's foreign policy team has been empowered to explore various options going forward with other nations. However, no decisions have been made.'

Trump declared this month that the U.S. officially recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people, and that an embassy relocation was in the cards. That sparked a revolt among nations sympathetic to the cause of Palestinians, who regard Jerusalem as the home of some of Islam's most holy sites.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the UN vote in harsh terms.

'Israel completely rejects this preposterous resolution. Jerusalem is our capital, always was, always will be,' he said in a video posted online after the resolution passed in lopsided fashion.

'But I do appreciate the fact that a growing number of countries refuse to participate in this theatre of the absurd,' he added.

'Especially I want to again express our thanks to President Trump and Ambassador Haley for their stalwart defense of Israel and their stalwart defense of the truth.'    

Just nine nations (in red), including the U.S. and Israel, voted 'no' on Thursday; another 35 countries abstained rather than taking a stand

Just nine nations (in red), including the U.S. and Israel, voted 'no' on Thursday; another 35 countries abstained rather than taking a stand

The stunning vote tally shows an increasingly anti-Israelitrend among nations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East

The stunning vote tally shows an increasingly anti-Israeli trend among nations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East

Haley lectured her peers and said that 'unlike' in some other countries, the U.S. government is 'answerable to its people' and can't spend money on failing institutions

Haley lectured her peers and said that 'unlike' in some other countries, the U.S. government is 'answerable to its people' and can't spend money on failing institutions

As expected, the Palestinian president welcomed the resolution.

'This decision reaffirms once again that the just Palestinian cause enjoys the support of international law, and no decision by any party can change the reality,' a statement from Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas's spokesman said, stressing it showed 'that Jerusalem is occupied territory under international law.'

'We will continue our efforts in the United Nations and all international forums to end the occupation and create a Palestinian state with its capital in east Jerusalem,' the statement added.

The Islamist terror group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and has fought three wars with Israel since 2008, said it was a blow to Israel's attempts to 'judaise' Jerusalem.

Trump has long complained that the U.S. shoulder's a disproportionate share of the UN's financial burden, compared to some freeloading nations, and said Wednesday at the White House that America will vote with its wallet. 

'They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us,' he fumed. 'Well, we're watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We'll save a lot. We don't care.'

Haley echoed those concerns, suggesting that even allies who vote against Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem are risking a financial cost.   

'They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us,' Trump said Wednesday at the White House

'They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us,' Trump said Wednesday at the White House

'The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation. We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world's largest contribution to the United Nations,' she said.

'And we will remember it when so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit.'

Haley insisted Thursday that Trump's decision 'does not prejudge any final status issues including Jerusalem's boundaries'

Haley insisted Thursday that Trump's decision 'does not prejudge any final status issues including Jerusalem's boundaries'

Haley threw jab after jab, saying that 'the United States is by far the single largest contributor to the United Nations,' and that 'unlike in some UN member countries, the United States government is answerable to its people.'

'We have an obligation to acknowledge when our political and financial capital is being poorly spent,' she warned. 'We have an obligation to demand more for our investment, and if our investment fails we have an obligation to spend our resources in more productive ways.'

She insisted that Trump's decision pertaining to Jerusalem 'does not prejudge any final status issues including Jerusalem's boundaries.'

'The decision does not preclude a two-state solution if the parties agree to that. The decision does nothing to harm peace efforts,' she said.

The draft resolution the General Assembly considered on Thursday mirrored the vetoed Security Council measure, reaffirming that any decision on the status of Jerusalem has no legal effect and must be rescinded.

It does not mention Trump's decision but expresses 'deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem.'

A council diplomat said Canada, Hungary and the Czech Republic might bow to U.S. pressure and not support the draft resolution.

ROLL CALL: HOW THEY VOTED 

128 United Nations member countries voted to condemn Donald Trump for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. These countries either voted 'no' or abstained:

ABSTAINED:

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Australia

Bahamas

Benin

Bhutan

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Cameroon

Canada

Colombia 

Croatia

Czech Republic

Dominican Republic

Equatorial Guinea

Fiji 

Haiti

Hungary

Jamaica

Kiribati

Latvia

Lesotho

Malawi

Mexico

Panama

Paraguay

Philippines

Poland

Romania

Rwanda

Solomon Islands 

South Sudan

Trinidad and Tobago

Tuvalu

Uganda

Vanuatu

VOTED 'NO':

Guatemala

Honduras

Israel

Marshall Islands

Micronesia

Nauru

Palau

Togo

United States

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Haley on Monday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning the embassy-move plan; all 14 other council nations voted 'yes'

Haley on Monday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning the embassy-move plan; all 14 other council nations voted 'yes'

Ahead of Thursday's hearing Haley wrote to other ambassadors that Trump, shown here with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would take disrespectful votes 'personally'

Ahead of Thursday's hearing Haley wrote to other ambassadors that Trump, shown here with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would take disrespectful votes 'personally'

He spoke after Haley warned countries on Tuesday that the President will take anti-America votes 'personally.'

'The president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those countries who voted against us,' Haley wrote to a number of countries in a letter.

'We will take note of each and every vote on this issue,' she wrote to several UN ambassadors. 'As you consider your vote, I want you to know that the President and U.S. take this vote personally.'

On Twitter, Haley posted that 'the U.S. will be taking names' during the vote on Thursday at the 193-nation assembly.

Turkey and Yemen requested the emergency session on behalf of the Arab group of countries and the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Egypt had put forward the draft at the Security Council, which was backed by all 14 other members in the vote on Monday.

Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour said he expected 'overwhelming support' for the measure stating that Jerusalem is an issue 'to be resolved through negotiations' between Israel and the Palestinians.

'The General Assembly will say, without the fear of the veto, that the international community is refusing to accept the unilateral position of the United States,' Mansour told reporters.

THE RESOLUTION TEXT 

Status of Jerusalem

The General Assembly,

Reaffirming its relevant resolutions, including resolution 72/15 of 30 November 2017 on Jerusalem,

Reaffirming also the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, including resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 252 (1968) of 21 May 1968, 267 (1969) of 3 July 1969, 298 (1971) of 25 September 1971, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, 446 (1979) of 22 March 1979, 465 (1980) of 1 March 1980, 476 (1980) of 30 June 1980, 478 (1980) of 20 August 1980 and 2334 (2016) of 23 December 2016,

Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirming, inter alia, the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force,

Bearing in mind the specific status of the Holy City of Jerusalem and, in particular, the need for the protection and preservation of the unique spiritual, religious and cultural dimensions of the city, as foreseen in relevant United Nations resolutions,

Stressing that Jerusalem is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations in line with relevant United Nations resolutions,

Expressing, in this regard, its deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem,

  1. 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, and in this regard calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem, pursuant to Security Council resolution 478 (1980);
  2. Demands that all States comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not recognize any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions;
  3. Reiterates its call for the reversal of the negative trends on the ground that are imperilling the two-State solution and for the intensification and acceleration of international and regional efforts and support aimed at achieving, without delay, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative[1] and the Quartet road map,[2] and an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967;
  4. Decides to adjourn the tenth emergency special session temporarily and to authorize the President of the General Assembly at its most recent session to resume its meeting upon request from Member States.
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 Haley posted on Twitter this week that 'the US will be taking names' during the vote on Thursday at 

 Haley posted on Twitter this week that 'the US will be taking names' during the vote on Thursday at the larger 193-nation assembly

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a news conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg (unseen) following their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 19 December 2017.
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street in central London on December 20, 2017 ahead of the weekly Prime Minister's Questions

Key allies including Britain and France are against Trump's Israel move; pictured are French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and British Prime Minister Theresa May (right)

No country has veto powers in the General Assembly, contrary to the council where the United States, along with Britain, China, France and Russia, can block any resolution.

Trump's December 6 decision to recognize Jerusalem broke with international consensus, triggering protests across the Muslim world and drawing strong condemnation.

Key U.S. allies Britain, France, Italy, Japan and Ukraine were among the 14 countries in the 15-member council that voted in favor of the measure.

After that vote, Haley described the 14-1 vote 'an insult' and warned 'it won't be forgotten.'

The Muslim world has seen widespread protests, and in Gaza City they continued Wednesday ahead of the United Nations special session

The Muslim world has seen widespread protests, and in Gaza City they continued Wednesday ahead of the United Nations special session

Haley's letter explains that 'the U.S. Congress declared that Jerusalem should be recognized as the capital of Israel, and that the U.S. Embassy should be located in Jerusalem. President Trump affirmed that declaration by officially recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.' 

'The President's announcement did not prejudge final status negotiations in any way, including the specific boundaries of Israeli sovereignty in Jerusalem. The President also made sure to support the status quo at Jerusalem's holy sites, and did not advocate changes to the arrangements at the Temple Mount./Haram al-Sharif,' she added.  

She went further on Tuesday, warning in her Twitter post: 'At the UN we're always asked to do more & give more. So, when we make a decision, at the will of the American ppl, abt where to locate OUR embassy, we don't expect those we've helped to target us.

'On Thurs there'll be a vote criticizing our choice. The U.S. will be taking names.'

After the clash at the top UN body, the White House announced that US Vice President Mike Pence was delaying a trip to the Middle East planned for this week.

Israel seized control of the eastern part of the city in the 1967 Middle East war and sees all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. The Palestinians view the east as the capital of their future state.

Several UN resolutions call on Israel to withdraw from territory seized during the 1967 war.

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