On December 21, a resolution was passed in the UN regarding Donald Trump’s decision to change Israel’s capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The resolution had been co-sponsored by Turkey and Yemen. Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, had warned the world community that Washington would ‘remember’ countries that disrespected America by voting against it. Despite this threat, 128 countries voted against the decision of the American president while only nine countries voted in favour of the decision, including Israel and the US. This reflects the failure of Trump’s decision.
Soon after the vote, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared the result to be a “victory for Palestine”. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the UN vote. The outcome of the vote shows that the world community is against the one-sided hegemonic decisions of the US president. The world community knows that Trump’s one-sided decisions are not the solution to the Palestine-Israel issue. These decisions have created unrest and frustration across the world, especially among Muslim countries. Trump should revoke his decision on Jerusalem’s status as the capital of Israel in the interest of peace.
Riaz Ahmed Rustamani
Dadu
*****
That Donald Trump’s controversial move to declare Jerusalem as Israel’s capital was rescinded with a heavy mandate at the UN reflects a positive step. Earlier, at a UNSC session on the same issue, the US found itself isolated when 14 Security Council members also voted in favour of the Egyptian-drafted resolution that urged the US to withdraw from its unjust stance on the Palestinian issue.
Though the Palestinian leadership welcomed the UNGA vote as a victory for Palestine, it remains to be seen how the US will adopt a more rational attitude to amicably settle the issue. Nikki Haley’s intimidating tone suggests that America is in no mood to respect world community’s observations on the Israel-Palestine conflict. In the past, a number of resolutions were also adopted in favour of the beleaguered Palestinians. But they have failed to see the light of the day owing to America’s non-cooperative attitude. Nevertheless, we must laud the efforts of the 128 countries who voted in accordance with the call of their conscience.
Muhammad Fayyaz
Mianwali
*****
The UN has voted to condemn US President Donald Trump’s move to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Even though the US ambassador Nikki Haley had issued a direct warning that the US would stop funding the countries that voted against it, 128 of them stood their ground and voted against Trump’s move. It is heartening to see that so many countries have support the Palestinian cause.
Mohsin Moazzam
Karachi