>
The overwhelming majority of the world’s nations on Thursday voted against the United States, denouncing its decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and ignoring President Donald Trump’s threats.
The US had threatened to cut off aids to countries that refuse to back it in its decision but ambassadors of the 193-member General Assembly voted 128 to 9, to approve a nonbinding resolution demanding that the United States rescind the December 6 decision on Jerusalem, which also included a plan to relocate the American Embassy there. Thirty five countries abstained.
Israel slammed the vote, likening it to a 1975 resolution equating Zionism with racism, a decision that was repealed in 1991 after intensive lobbying by the United States.
“It’s shameful that this meeting is even taking place,” Israel’s envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told the body.
The General Assembly resolution, drafted by Yemen and Turkey, cited numerous past resolutions on Jerusalem and urged nations to “refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions.”
The consensus under international law is that East Jerusalem, occupied by Israel since 1967, should be the future capital of a Palestinian state.