US vetoes UN resolution calling for withdrawal

(JNS) The U.S. on Monday vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that called for President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital to be withdrawn.

Following the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley called the Security Council measure “an insult” and said it will not be forgotten. 

“The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy,” she said, referring to Trump’s plans to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. “The fact that this veto is being done in defense of America’s role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council.”

The Egyptian-drafted resolution, which was supported by all of the council’s 15 members except for the U.S., affirmed 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status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.”

Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon said, “Every other country in the world has the right to designate its capital city. But when it comes to Israel, somehow this most basic national right is questioned and condemned. We thank the United States for standing with Israel and staying loyal to the truth.”

With the Security Council vote on Jerusalem taking place during Chanukah, Danon said said it “seems that some of those who wish us well have forgotten exactly why we celebrate Chanukah. Chanukah is about the liberation of Jerusalem... It is about reinstating Jewish sovereignty more than 2,000 years ago over our capital, Jerusalem.”