India votes in favour of UNGA resolution calling upon US to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel

United Nations, December 22: India voted in favour of a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly against US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Around 128 countries voted in a favour of a resolution at UNGA which calls on to drop the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. 

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the UN vote saying that United Nations is a ‘House of Lies’ but expressed satisfaction at the number of countries that didn't vote for the measure.

India Israel friendship has its unique definitions to look upon for other countries. India should either have abstained or voted against the UN resolution condemning the shifting of US embassy to Jerusalem. We should stand by Israel, a firm friend, was tweeted by Swapan Dasgupta, Member of Parliament.

 

Rajya Sabha MP Subramaniyan Swamy, Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha commented saying that “it is against India's national interest to vote for the pro-Palestine Resolution in the UNGA. Palestine has never supported India on Kashmir question and Islamic terror attacks. Israel has stood with India always.”

On 7th December President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying that “It's a move that upends decades of U.S. policy,” which invited lots of criticism but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu termed this as ‘historic day’ for Israel. Also President Trump announced to move the U.S Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. To which India reacted earlier saying that ‘India’s position on Palestine was independent and consistent.’ Also External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said earlier that the path to Israel-Jerusalem peace clearly lay in an early negotiated solution between Israel and Palestine based on mutual recognition and security arrangements.

But the decision of recognizing Jerusalem as capital of Israel brought out strong resentment among many countries, especially Muslim countries. At United Nations General Assembly total of 128 countries backed the resolution, nine voted against and 35 abstained.

The US faced complete isolation in the UN General Assembly last night as the world body took up for voting a draft resolution declaring recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital "null and void".

The UN General Assembly resolution stressed that Jerusalem was a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations. It demanded that all States comply with Security Council resolutions regarding Jerusalem, and not recognise any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions.

Strongly supporting Trump's decision US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley warned that the US may strip funding of those countries that voted against its Jerusalem move.

Niki Haley told the General Assembly that the US will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly. She said the US will remember it when it is called upon to make the world's largest contribution to the United Nations.

The Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution. His spokesman said in a statement that this decision reaffirms once again that the just Palestinian cause enjoys the support of international law, and no decision by any party can change the reality.