U.S. vetoes Jerusalem resolution

Security Council opposes Trump move by 14-1 vote

UNITED NATIONS — The United States on Monday vetoed a resolution supported by the 14 other

U.N. Security Council members that would have required President Donald Trump to rescind his declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a vote that showed the depth of global opposition to the U.S. move.

The United States was certain to veto the Egyptian-sponsored resolution, but its Arab supporters wanted the vote to demonstrate that countries everywhere and even many U.S. allies such as Britain, France and Japan are against Trump’s action.

The Palestinians immediately announced that they will seek a resolution with similar demands in the 193-member General Assembly, where there are no vetoes. But the assembly’s resolutions are not legally binding.

U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley called the Security Council resolution “an insult” that won’t be forgotten, saying the United Nations forced the U.S. to cast a veto simply because of its right to decide where to put its embassy. She said the veto was done “in defense of American sovereignty and in defense of America’s role in the Middle East peace process.”

The vetoed resolution would have demanded that all countries comply with 10 resolutions on Jerusalem, dating to 1967, including requirements that the city’s final status be decided in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

Trump’s announcement triggered denunciations and demonstrations around the world. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement and other groups organized mass protests while its rival, the Gaza-based Islamic militant group Hamas, has called for a third violent uprising against Israel.

Haley told the council “the United States has never been more committed to peace in the Middle East,” and called accusations that the U.S. is setting back the prospect for peace “scandalous.”

But Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reiterated in public comments to senior Palestinian officials Monday that he no longer will accept the U.S. as a Mideast mediator.

He said “a crazy person wouldn’t accept” that role for Washington after Trump’s action.