Jerusalem: Donald Trump threatens to cut aid to United Nations members over Israel capital vote
Updated
US President Donald Trump has threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that vote in favour of a draft United Nations resolution calling for the United States to withdraw its decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Key points:
- Warning letter reportedly sent to more than 180 countries a day before the vote
- Countries asked to acknowledge the historical friendship, partnership, and support US has extended
- Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas reaches out to Saudi Arabia
"They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars, and then they vote against us. Well, we're watching those votes," Mr Trump told reporters at the White House.
"Let them vote against us. We'll save a lot. We don't care."
Mr Trump's comments come after the US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said she "will be taking names" during the General Assembly vote overnight (AEDT).
Ms Haley's warning letter to most of the 193 UN member states and threatening tweet drew sharp criticism from the Palestinian and Turkish foreign ministers who are flying to New York for the General Assembly vote. They accused the US of intimidation.
The Palestinians sought the General Assembly vote after the United States on Monday vetoed a resolution supported by the 14 other UN Security Council members that would have required Mr Trump to rescind his declaration on Jerusalem as Israel's capital and not move the US Embassy there.
Unlike the Security Council, assembly resolutions are not legally binding but they do reflect world opinion.
In the letter, reportedly sent to more than 180 countries, Ms Haley said the Trump administration is "simply asking that you acknowledge the historical friendship, partnership, and support we have extended and respect our decision about our own embassy".
"The President will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those countries who voted against us," she wrote.
"We will take note of each and every vote on this issue."
This was not the first time Ms Haley has threatened to keep track of US opponents.
On January 27, the day she arrived at the United Nations as ambassador, Ms Haley announced a new way the United States would be doing business.
The Trump administration's goal is to show US strength, speak out, and defend its allies — and as for countries opposing America, "we're taking names," she said.
The letter on the Jerusalem vote was the first time since then that Ms Haley vowed to compile a list.
What action the United States might take against countries that vote against the General Assembly resolution remains to be seen.
'Serious implications': Palestine reaches out to Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia's King Salman received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Riyadh and reiterated the kingdom's support for the Palestinian people. A dozen Saudi princes and officials also attended the meeting.
Saudi Arabia had previously expressed hope the US would not go ahead with the move and warned that such a decision would have "serious implications," state news agency SPA reported.
"The recognition will have very serious implications and will be provocative to all Muslims' feelings," SPA said, quoting the Saudi Arabian Foreign Ministry.
"The United States administration should take into account the negative implications of such a move."
Overnight, the King reassured Mr Abbas in Riyadh that Saudi Arabia will continue to support the right of an independent Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Ahead of Ms Haley's letter and tweet, Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said he expected "massive support" in the assembly.
Trump's call for Jerusalem capital 'null, void': draft resolution
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki and Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told reporters last night they believed UN member countries will ignore "pressure" from Ms Haley.
Mr al-Maliki said he believed that countries would vote their conscience, and "they will vote for justice, and they will vote in favour of that resolution".
"No honourable state would bow to such pressure," Mr Cavusoglu said.
"The world has changed. The belief that 'I am strong therefore I am right' has changed.
"The world today is revolting against injustices."
The resolution that will be put to a vote is very similar to the defeated Security Council resolution.
It reaffirms 10 Security Council resolutions on Jerusalem, dating back to 1967, including requirements that the city's final status must be decided in direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
It "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".
The draft resolution "demands that all states comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the holy city of Jerusalem, and not to recognise any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions".
AP/Reuters
Topics: world-politics, foreign-affairs, unrest-conflict-and-war, territorial-disputes, religion-and-beliefs, donald-trump, united-states, israel, palestinian-territory-occupied
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