THE UN General Assembly has voted 128-9 with 35 abstentions to declare US President Donald Trump’s declaration of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital “null and void.”
The vote, while a victory for the Palestinians, was significantly lower than its supporters had hoped for, with many forecasting at least 150 “yes” votes.
The countries who abstained included Australia, Argentina, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Mexico, the Philippines, Romania and Rwanda.
In that sense, it was a victory for the United States, with Mr Trump’s threat to cut off US funding to countries that oppose his decision having an impact.
Palestinian leadership praised the vote. “The vote is a victory for Palestine,” said Nabil Abu Rdainah, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “We will continue our efforts in the United Nations and at all international forums to put an end to this occupation and to establish our Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the vote, but expressed satisfaction at the number of countries that didn’t vote for the measure.
Read the article in Perth Now (AP, AFP, News Corp Australia).