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UNGA calls to withdraw recognising Jerusalem as Israeli Capital

The United Nations General Assembly has decisively backed a resolution co-sponsored by Maldives, effectively calling on the U.S. to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The non-binding resolution was approved by 128 states, with 35 abstaining and 9 voting against. Immediately after the vote the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the result as a victory for Palestine. The United Nations Palestinian envoy Riyad Mansour described the result as a massive setback for the U.S..

The 193-member United Nations General Assembly held the rare emergency special session at the request of Arab and Muslim states, who condemned the President of U.S. Donald Trump's decision to reverse decades of US policy. The Palestinians called for the meeting after the U.S. vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution that was similar to the text approved by the United Nations General Assembly.

It was passed despite threats of Trump to eliminate financial aid to member states who would vote against his decision, while the U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Nikki Haley had warned that she would be taking names of those countries. Countries which voted for the resolution included major recipients of U.S. aid such as Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq. Twenty-two of the 28 European Union countries voted for the resolution, including the United Kingdom and France. Germany which in the past has abstained on measures relating to Israel also voted in favour.

In spite of all this, Maldives upheld its decision regarding the issue and co-sponsored the resolution. Before the voting, the floor was open to debate on the issue.

Addressing the assembly, Permanent Representative of Maldives to United Nations, Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed applauded the visionary leadership of the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in demonstrating this issue, and in particular, the Palestine's unwavering faith in the United Nations. He further expressed deep regret at the recent decision of U.S. President Donald Trump concerning the status of Jerusalem.

As a co-sponsor of the resolution effectively calling on U.S. to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, which United Nations General Assembly decisively backed, Maldives thanked Yemen for introducing the draft resolution to the assembly.