News Analysis |
The United Nations General Assembly on Thursday rejected US president Donald Trump’s declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by a decisive vote, inflicting a humiliating blow to a disrespected President. As predicted, this vote sent a strong message to the United States.
Although voting may have sent shock waves to the deluded Trump, but all over the world, this outcome was predicted. The victory for the Palestinians, was nevertheless, significantly lower than its supporters had hoped for, with many forecasting at least 150 “yes” votes.
Trump single-handedly put the stability of the region at risk. This result has been remarkable in reminding the United States that it cannot boss the world around and tell any country where it should put its embassy.
It was a resounding result for the suffering Palestinians, and the mighty United States sustained a shameful eye-opener that reflected its international isolation over the Jerusalem issue. It is nothing less than a stinging rebuke for the narcissistic and egoistic Trump. It was the condemnation of America’s unilateral decision that hurt the Palestinians and Muslims across the globe.
The US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley had reprimanded the countries for voting against the US cause. Before the vote, she threatened the countries expected to cast “No” of dire consequences and said that the US would remember the nations that disrespected America by voting against it.
Read more: US threatens countries who vote against it on Jerusalem decision
Despite the threats to cut the aid, which could potentially withhold “billions” of dollars of US aid from countries, the US was overwhelmingly beaten—as 128 countries voted in favor of the UN resolution, which effectively meant no to US orders. Though voting is mainly symbolic, still the US continued its efforts to convince the countries to vote in its favor. All the diplomatic efforts of Israel and US went in vain. It could only manage to bag nine votes, which included, Israel, Guatemala, Nauru Togo, Micronesia, Palau, Marshall Islands, Honduras, and the US itself.
Trump fulfilled another election campaign pledge where it promised the nation to relocate the US embassy there from its current location in Tel Aviv.
21 countries remained absent, which reflects that either the US-Israel lobbying worked or strong warnings of aid cuts may have tempted them to avoid the voting. Moreover, 35 states abstained. It was a very unpopular decision and would have resulted in chaos and severe security crises in the war-torn Middle East.
This diplomatic blow given the nature of the cause was predicted. It was a significant defeat to the US hegemony and speaks volumes of its waning power. It no longer appears to be in the position—especially when Trump is in the driving seat.
Nikki Haley had warned that Trump would take the issue personally and the US will take names of those who will vote to reject the Jerusalem recognition. While speaking to the assembly, she said, “I must also say today: When we make generous contributions to the UN, we also have an expectation that we will be respected”.
She further argued, “If our investment fails, we have an obligation to spend our investment in other ways… The United States will remember this day.” These statements came after another humiliating bashing in Monday’s vote where the US was isolated after 14-1 vote and prompted calls for Trump to drop his declaration.
Read more: India refuses to condemn Trump’s Jerusalem decision
The utter rebuke to Trump’s 6th December unilateral decision prompted huge backlash not only in Muslim countries but across the world.
It is nothing less than a stinging rebuke for the narcissistic and egoistic Trump. It was the condemnation of America’s unilateral decision that hurt the Palestinians and Muslims across the globe.
From 22nd November 1967 to 23rd December 2016, nine United Nation Resolutions were passed which ordered the eviction of Jews from the occupied land in what is now known as Israel. But, it continued its construction and on behest of America and its influential lobbies in the states did not shun its illegal actions in Palestinian territory.
Trump’s unilateral decision was compromising and biased in favor of Israel. Trump fulfilled another election campaign pledge where it promised the nation to relocate the US embassy there from its current location in Tel Aviv.
With this voting, no binding on US and Israel, world powers, and Muslim nations must pressurize the US diplomatically to review its stance on this decision, which will undoubtedly bring more bloodshed and chaos in the already highly unstable region. It is not a simple declaration to change a capital city but apparently a recipe for future disaster in the Middle East.
Read more: Jerusalem in trouble
Trump should have come to terms with the fact that it is not easy upending the decades of international consensus. Trump single-handedly put the stability of the region at risk. This result has been remarkable in reminding the United States that it cannot boss the world around and tell any country where it should put its embassy.