The special emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly took place on December 21 at the request of the Arab and Islamic countries. As a result, 128 votes approved a resolution calling on the US to withdraw its declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Nine countries voted against and 35 voted white while 21 other countries did not vote. In addition to the US and Israel, there are Guatemala, Honduras, Vietnam, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and the Marshall Islands.
The results of the UN General Assembly vote were hailed by Palestine as a victory. "We will continue our efforts at the United Nations and in all international forums to end this occupation and establish a state of Palestine east of Jerusalem as the capital of this state," said Nabil Abu Rudainah, a spokesperson for President Abbas. The Turkish Foreign Minister also expressed his delight at the result.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said that any decision made by the General Assembly would not affect the decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in Washington. Ms. Nikki Haley mentioned the US contribution to the United Nations and the vote would change the way Americans perceive the organization.
Earlier this week, the US used its authority to reject the UN Security Council resolution on Jerusalem, which called on the US to withdraw its decision to recognize the city as the capital of Israel. While all other members of the Council voted in favor.
