UN Security Council to vote on Trump's Jerusalem announcement
The UN Security Council is set to vote today on a draft resolution calling for a withdrawal of US President Donald Trump's recent announcement recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital. According to sources, the resolution sponsored by Egypt enjoys wide support within the 15-member body. However, the US will likely veto it. What does the draft resolution say? What could happen? We explain.
Trump delivers on Israel promise, recognizes Jerusalem as capital
On December 7, Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in a bold and unprecedented step that reversed decades of official US policy. Trump termed the move "a long overdue step to advance the middle-east peace process." The status of Jerusalem is central to Israel-Palestine conflict. Israel lauded the announcement while several world leaders criticized it.
How has the world reacted to Trump's Jerusalem announcement?
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed that his country was "profoundly grateful" to him. Leaders, including British PM Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron, disapproved of the move UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres termed it "a great moment of anxiety." The Organization of Islamic Co-operation (OIC), which comprises of 57 Muslim countries, recently urged the world to recognize East Jerusalem as Palestine's capital.
What does the resolution entail?
The one-page draft resolution expresses "deep regret" on recent developments concerning the status of Jerusalem. It adds that the developments which may have altered Jerusalem's composition and status are "null and void" and calls for Trump's announcement to be annulled in accordance with past UNSC resolutions on Jerusalem. It also calls for countries to refrain from shifting their embassies to Jerusalem.
Will Washington veto the resolution?
For a UNSC resolution to pass, it requires at least 9 votes and no vetoes from the permanent members (Russia, France, China, the US and UK). Under current context, the Trump administration views Israel as an important ally and is likely to veto Egypt's resolution.
