U.S. ‘taking names’ of those who oppose Jerusalem decision
U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley threatened UN member states with possible retaliation if they support a resolution criticizing Washington’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, saying President Donald Trump takes Thursday’s vote “personally” — and the U.S. “will be taking names.”
Haley’s warning letter to most of the 193 UN member states and threatening tweet on Wednesday drew sharp criticism from the Palestinian and Turkish foreign ministers who are flying to New York for the General Assembly vote. They accused the U.S. of intimidation.
The Palestinians sought the General Assembly vote after the United States on Monday vetoed a resolution supported by the 14 other UN Security Council members that would have required Trump to rescind his declaration on Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and not move the U.S. Embassy there.
Unlike the Security Council, assembly resolutions are not legally binding but they do reflect world opinion.
In Wednesday’s letter, reportedly sent to over 180 countries, Haley said the Trump administration is “simply asking that you acknowledge the historical friendship, partnership, and support we have extended and respect our decision about our own embassy.”
“The president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those countries who voted against us,” she wrote in the letter obtained by AP. “We will take note of each and every vote on this issue.”
Her tweet was sharper: “At the UN we’re always asked to do more & give more. So, when we make a decision, at the will of the American ppl, abt where to locate OUR embassy, we don’t expect those we’ve helped to target us. On Thurs there’ll be a vote criticizing our choice. The US will be taking names.”
What action the United States might take against countries that vote against Thursday’s General Assembly resolution remains to be seen.
The resolution is co-sponsored by Turkey, chair of the summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and Yemen, chair of the Arab Group at the U.N.
Before Haley’s letter and tweet, Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour told The Associated Press he expected “massive support” in the assembly.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport on Wednesday before flying to New York for Thursday’s vote, that they believe UN member countries will ignore “pressure” from Haley.
Al-Maliki said he believes that on Thursday countries will vote their conscience, and “they will vote for justice, and they will vote in favour of that resolution.”
The resolution that will be put to a vote is very similar to the defeated Security Council resolution.
It reaffirms 10 Security Council resolutions on Jerusalem, dating back to 1967, including requirements that the city’s final status must be decided in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.