UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution rejecting the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Despite threats from President Donald Trump to cut off aid to countries supporting the motion, the Pakistan’s co-sponsored resolution received 128 votes to nine against it, while 35 countries abstained.
The emergency session of the General Assembly was convened by Yemen on behalf of the Arab Group and Turkey on behalf of the OIC.
The text of resolution said that the Assembly 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status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect and are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.
Addressing the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital violates international law and relevant UN resolutions.
He said Turkey will never let Al-Quds down and the Palestinian people will never be left alone.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi in her speech said Pakistan will continue to support Palestinians as support to Palestinian cause is the pillar of our foreign policy.
She said an independent, contiguous Palestinian state with its borders prior to 1967 and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital is the only solution of enduring peace in the Middle East.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas says the UN General Assembly’s resolution criticising the US government’s controversial recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, shows that “Jerusalem is occupied territory under international law.”
In a statement he said the decision reaffirms that the just Palestinian cause enjoys support of international law, and no decision by any party can change the reality.
Hamas in a statement, termed the UN General Assembly resolution as “a step in the right direction, a victory of Palestinian rights and a blow to the Trump’s declaration.”
Meanwhile, talking to media, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Dr. Maleeha Lodhi said that the United States’ illegal decision and policy on Jerusalem has been rejected by the world in the UN General Assembly.
She said the UN General Assembly is considered as the parliament of the world and rejection of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel has sent a strong message to Washington.
Maleeha Lodhi said the decision has shown that the US and some of its allies were on one side, while rest of the world was on the other side.
