JERUSALEM PLAN

it voted against the resolution.

The eight countries which voted alongside the US against the resolution were Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Togo.

The 35 countries which abstained from voting included Argentina, Australia, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Fiji, Haiti, Hungary, Jamaica, Malawi, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, South Sudan, Uganda and Vanuatu.

After the vote-count was announced, Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif tweeted that the General Assembly resolution was “a resounding global ‘no’ to Trump regime’s thuggish intimidation at the UN”.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan tweeted: “We welcome with great pleasure the UN General Assembly’s overwhelming support for a historic resolution on Al-Quds Al-Sharif. We expect the Trump administration to rescind without further delay its unfortunate decision, whose illegality has been clearly established by UNGA.”

While many countries may feel that their recent “victory” at UNGA is an occasion for celebration, the painful fact remains that unlike a resolution of the UN Security Council, a resolution of the General Assembly is non-binding and does not carry the force of international law.

Trump may probably ignore the resolution just as the US (and its ally, Israel) have ignored many other Security Council resolutions before this. If he does that, the US will be more “isolated” by the international community as the years roll by.

Trump will learn that threats do not ensure respect (though perhaps may command reluctant obedience) and money alone does not buy lasting friendship.

His ill-advised move on Jerusalem has galvanised the 1.8 billion Muslim community worldwide to stand together (against him) in solidarity with the Palestinian people.