UN to vote on draft nullifyng Jerusalem 

UN to vote on draft nullifyng Jerusalem 

Context

Draft resolution by UNSC

What has happened?

The UN Security Council is considering a draft resolution affirming that any change to the status of Jerusalem has no legal effect and must be reversed, in response to the U.S. decision to recognise the city as Israel’s capital

Draft circulated by which country?

Egypt circulated the draft text on Saturday, and diplomats said the council could vote on the proposed measure as early as on Monday

Backdrop

U.S. President Donald Trump this month announced that he would recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the U.S. embassy there from Tel Aviv, sparking protests and strong condemnation

What does the draft resolution says?

The draft resolution stresses following,

• Jerusalem is an issue “to be resolved through negotiations” and expresses “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem”, without specifically mentioning Mr. Trump’s move
• 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status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded
• It calls on all countries to refrain from opening embassies in Jerusalem, reflecting concerns that other governments could follow the U.S. lead
• It demands that all member-states not recognise any actions that are contrary to UN resolutions on the status of the city

Israel’s reaction

Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon “strongly condemned” the draft, dismissing it as an attempt by the Palestinians “to reinvent history”

Palestinian reaction

• The Palestinians had sought a toughly-worded draft resolution that would have directly called on the U.S. administration to scrap its decision
• Backed by Muslim countries, the Palestinians are expected to turn to the UN General Assembly to adopt a resolution rejecting the US decision, if, as expected, the measure is vetoed by the United States at the council