UN General Assembly declared Trump’s declaration “null and void”

“The United States will remember the day”, US Ambassador told the Assembly.

Finally, the General Assembly of UN declared Donald Trump’s declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital null and void. Defying Trump’s threat to cut off financial aid, 128 countries voted against the US, nine voted in favor, 35 abstained themselves from the vote whereas 21 countries absent. No doubt, the US found itself alone on the world platform as its Arab allies also voted against it. Not only Arabs but many countries like Britain, France, Germany and Japan also voted against the US move.

Earlier, backing its ally Israel, the US had vetoed the resolution in the 15-member UN Security Council on Monday, while other 14 members of the Council had voted in favor of the resolution drafted by Egypt on the day.

Reactions of the US on the declaration

“The US will remember the day as the world selected us for attack in the General Assembly for exercising our rights as a sovereign nation.” This was the reaction of the US Ambassador Nikki Haley in 193-member General Assembly of the UN.

She further said: “America will shift its embassy in Jerusalem, no vote in the General Assembly will effect on our stand on the issue.”

“The US would retaliate against the countries voted in favor of the UN General Assembly resolution calling on the president of the UN to revoke his decision.” Donald Trump has reacted on the decision by his tweet and letters to most of the 193-member countries.

Ahead of the vote

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has labeled the UN as a house of lies saying: “The state of Israel rejects the vote.” Earlier, he had thanked Donald Trump on the move from the state of Israel and entire Jewish world.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who had called OIC summit on the issue, said criticizing Trump’s cut off financial aid: “Mr. Trump, you cannot buy our democratic will for your dollars.” He added in a speech in Ankara: “I hope the world will give a good lesson to the US in the UN General Assembly.”

Iran, as expected, is welcoming the UN General Assembly resolution. Foreign Minister of the country tweeted: ““Trump’s regime thuggish intimidation at UN.”

The Islamic militant group Hamas is happy with the UN General Assembly resolution. Fawzi Barhoum, the spokesman of the group has called the resolution “a step in the right direction.”  He is considering the declaration of the UN General Assembly as the Palestinian right to the holy city.

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