Nikki Haley says UN Resolution Against US Decision on Jerusalem An Insult

Calling the UN Security Council resolution that would force US President Donald Trump to rescind his declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital an “insult”, US Ambassador Nikki Haley defended the veto the country cast on the resolution on Dec.18. She said that US has the right to decide where to put it’s embassy, reported The Associated Press.

“What we witnessed here in the Security Council is an insult. It won’t be forgotten,” Hailey said adding that the United States will not be told by any country where it can put their embassy.

Haley said that their veto against the resolution, which demanded that all countries comply with the 1967 resolution on Jerusalem, was in defense of American sovereignty and in defense of America’s role in the Middle East peace process.” The 1967 resolution says the final status of Jerusalem will be a result of negotiations between Israel and Palestine.

The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy. pic.twitter.com/vSmPerYT4q

— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) December 18, 2017

The vetoed resolution had the support of 14 other UN Security Council members including allies of United States such as the United Kingdom, France and Japan. The resolution drafted by Egypt did not specifically mention the United States or President Donald Trump, however, it expressed “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem”. Trump had announced U.S recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital on Dec.6.

Meanwhile, Arab leaders have told India that “it should make a stronger statement” against the U.S move. In a meeting in New Delhi on Dec.9 that included Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar, Arab ambassadors led by Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to India Saud Bin Mohammed Al-Sati, Arab envoys expressed their “deep concern” at India’s stance. The group had at least 10 Ambassadors and diplomats, including Sudan, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Iraq, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates.

India, however, reiterated that it’s position on Israel-Palestine would not be dictated by a third country, “We told them our policies are based on our principles and reiterated our long-standing position,” said an source, reported The Indian Express. The source added that Akbar did not promise the envoys anything.

A day after India released it’s statement saying it’s position is independent, Palestine’s Ambassador to India Adnan Abu Alhaijaa said that there was a need for positive intervention. “There is an urgent need for positive intervention from members of the international community, in particular India and European countries, to protect the Palestinian people and to curb Israel’s violations and end its impunity,” he added, reported the National Herald.