US Vetoes SC Resolution on Jerusalem

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

The vote was 14 - 1, America alone supporting unacceptable and illegal actions "alter(ing) the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem" - by Trump's recognition of the city as Israel's capital, along with Washington exercising its veto power, voting against Monday's SC resolution rejecting his move.

It was his first administration SC veto since taking office, putting him at odds with the overwhelming majority of world community member states.

By video message, Netanyahu thanked neocon UN envoy Nikki Haley, turning truth on its head, saying "(y)ou lit a candle of truth. You dispelled the darkness. One defeated the many. Truth defeated lies."

He and Trump partner against Palestinian rights, rejecting conflict resolution while falsely claiming otherwise.

Defending the indefensible, Haley  said America "will not be told, by any country, where we will put our embassy" - disgracefully calling Trump's declaration an honest and courageous move, ludicrously adding by vetoing today's draft resolution, Washington defended Israel's "sovereignty."

It did nothing of the kind. It trampled on Palestinian rights, plunging a dagger into the heart of the moribund peace process, making it more unattainable than already.

In an ominous warning, she called today's vote "an insult," saying "(i)t won't be forgotten," shamefully accusing SC members of anti-Israeli bias - the UN failing to be "a neutral party when it consistently singles out Israel for condemnation," she unjustifiably claimed.

More than any other member states, America and Israel warrant severe censure and punishment for their high crimes of war, against humanity and genocide - both countries throughout their disturbing histories.

Current non-permanent SC members supporting the resolution included Bolivia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Senegal, Sweden, Ukraine and Uruguay.

Russia, China, Britain and France backed it, America the sole outlier, shamefully using its veto to defeat it.

The resolution didn't mention America by name, expressing regret over the recent move on Jerusalem's status.

Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour said Washington missed a chance on Monday to "correct its mistake, vetoing a draft resolution supporting international law.

According to UN Middle East envoy Nickolay Mladenov, "(i)n the wake of the decision of the United States…the situation has become more tense with an increase in incidents, notably rockets fired from Gaza and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces."

A closed-door SC meeting preceded Monday's vote, discussion focusing on Jerusalem in the wake of Trump's declaration.

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