WATCH LIVE: States explain their vote on Jerusalem embassy resolution

Trump threat to cut aid to states that vote in favor, ups the stakes in vote seen as forgone defeat for Israel.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Updated: DECEMBER 21, 2017 19:34
UNGA emergency session to discuss Trump's Jerusalem move
The UN General assembly is holding an emergency session debating and voting on a resolution slamming America’s decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem. The session was called at the request of Arab and Muslim countries. Israel is hoping a “moral majority” emerges in the UN to either vote against or abstain on the measure.
Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour said the General Assembly would on a vote a draft resolution calling for Trump's declaration to be withdrawn, which was vetoed by the United States in the 15-member UN Security Council on Monday.
Officials in Jerusalem acknowledge that despite Washington’s warning to cut off aid from countries that vote in favor of the resolution, the measure is expected to pass easily because of the Palestinian automatic majority in the 193-member body.
Nevertheless, Israel’s delegations abroad have been directed to actively lobby host governments against the measure and to encourage them not to speak on the issue at the emergency meeting called at the behest of Yemen and Turkey.
Success, from Israel’s point of view, would be if a significant number of Western, democratic states do not support the measure, diplomatic officials said.
The following is the full text of the resolution:
Reaffirming its relevant resolutions, including resolution A/RES/72/15 of 30 November 2017 on Jerusalem,
Reaffirming the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, including resolutions 242 (1967), 252 (1968), 267 (1969), 298 (1971), 338 (1973), 446 (1979), 465 (1980), 476 (1980), 478 (1980), and 2334 (2016),
           Guided by the purpose and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirming inter alia, the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force,
           Bearing in mind the specific status of the Holy City of Jerusalem and, in particular, the need for the protection and preservation of the unique spiritual, religious and cultural dimensions of the City, as foreseen in the relevant United Nations resolutions,
           Stressing that Jerusalem is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations in line with relevant United Nations resolutions,
           Expressing in this regard its deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem,
                    1.             Affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council, and in this regard, calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem, pursuant to resolution 478 (1980) of the Security Council;
           2.       Demands that all States comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not to recognize any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions;
           3.       Reiterates its call  for the reversal of  the negative trends on the ground that are imperilling the two-State solution and for the intensification and acceleration of international and regional efforts and support aimed at achieving, without  delay, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of the relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quartet Roadmap and an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967;
4.             Decides to adjourn the tenth emergency special session temporarily and to authorize the President of the General Assembly at its most recent session to resume its meeting upon request from Member States.
Tovah Lazaroff, Herb Keinon and Reuters contributed to this report


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