Haley warns US ‘taking names’ of UN opponents of Trump's Jerusalem move

Monday’s veto at the Security Council marked the first time the US has used its veto power since 2011.

By TOVAH LAZAROFF
Updated: DECEMBER 20, 2017 16:48
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley vetos a resolution during the United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, December 18, 2017 (photo credit: BRENDAN MCDERMID/REUTERS)
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley vetos a resolution during the United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, December 18, 2017
(photo credit: BRENDAN MCDERMID/REUTERS)
The United States has publicly warned United Nations member states not to support Thursday’s UN General Assembly resolution denouncing US President Donald Trump’s declaration that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital.
The text will also call for nations, including the US, not to relocate their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. To date, the US is the only country who said it will do so.
US envoy to the UN Niki Haley says Trump"s Jerusalem decision "right thing to do" (Reuters)
The UN General Assembly is scheduled to hold a special emergency session to disavow Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem on Thursday at the request of Yemen, Turkey and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. The resolution is expected to pass by a large majority.
On Monday the US vetoed the same text at the UN Security Council, after the 14 other member states approved it.
“At the UN we're always asked to do more & give more,” US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley tweeted on Wednesday,
“So, when we make a decision, at the will of the American ppl, abt where to locate OUR embassy, we don't expect those we've helped to target us. On Thurs there'll be a vote criticizing our choice. The US will be taking names [sic],” Haley said.

Haley also sent a warning letter to UN member states, portions of which were circulated on Twitter.
“To be clear, we are not asking for other countries [to] move their embassies to Jerusalem, though we think it would be appropriate. We are simply asking you acknowledge the historical friendship, partnership, and support we have extended and respect our decision about our embassy.
“The president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those who voted against us. We will take note of every vote on this issue,” Haley wrote.
The US has opposed the Jerusalem resolution out of support for Israel but also because it believes that matters involving American sovereignty are at stake as well.
Former Swedish prime minister and Co-Chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations Carl Blidt tweeted, "In UN Security Council US lost by 14-1 on issue of Jerusalem. Now it’s getting nervous and threatening prior to a vote in the UN General Assembly."
After the Security Council vote, Haley said, “The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy.”
She further stated, “The fact that this veto is being done in defense of American sovereignty and in defense of America’s role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council.”
Monday’s veto at the Security Council marked the first time the US has used its veto power since 2011, when it put a halt to a resolution denouncing Israeli settlement activity.
Over the last ten years, the US has used its veto power only twice at the Security Council.
Russia, in contrast, has vetoed 16 Security Council resolutions in that same period, mostly on Syria and the Ukraine.
Five countries — the US, Russia, China, France and Great Britain — are permanent members of the Security Council and enjoy veto power. The other 10 countries on the council hold rotating two year positions.


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