Haley: U.S. ‘taking names’ over U.N. Jerusalem vote
Her action recalled to some veteran U.N. diplomats the run-up to the Iraq War in 2002 when then-President George W. Bush launched a campaign against France and other opponents of military action who refused to support a Security Council resolution to authorize war. The resolution, which former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was pressing for and the U.S. backed, was withdrawn by Britain because it was certain to be defeated as a result of council opposition.
What action the United States might take against countries that vote for Thursday’s General Assembly resolution remains to be seen.
The resolution is cosponsored 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 U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour said he expected “massive support” in the assembly.
The resolution that will be put to a vote is similar to the defeated Security Council resolution.
It reaffirms 10 Security Council resolutions on Jerusalem, dating to 1967, including requirements that the city’s final status must be decided in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
It “affirms 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status or demographic composition of the holy city of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded.”
The draft resolution “demands that all states comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the holy city of Jerusalem, and not to recognize any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions.”