U.S. vetoes Egypt's draft resolution over Jerusalem

CAIRO – 18 December 2017: United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley vetoed Egypt’s draft resolution on Monday. The resolution called on the U.S. administration to reverse its decision regarding the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

In it's speech earlier before the voting, Haley affirmed that the U.S. is still committed to the two-state solution and that relocating the embassy does not necessarily mean recognizing Jerusalem as the official capital.

Earlier, in statements to Egypt Today, several diplomats also expected that the United States will use its veto power on that resolution before the Security Council.

The diplomats mentioned that the draft, issued by Egypt on Saturday to the 15-member council, has been supported by many members.

The resolution affirmed that any change to Jerusalem’s status has no legal effect and must be reversed, stressing that Jerusalem is an issue "to be resolved through negotiations." It also expressed "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem," without specifically mentioning Trump's decision.

Breaking with international consensus, Trump declared on December 8 that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and that the U.S. embassy will be relocated there. After the decision, Arab foreign ministers agreed to seek a U.N. Security Council resolution.

The draft resolution called on all countries to refrain from opening embassies in Jerusalem, reflecting concerns that other governments could follow the lead of the U.S.

It demanded that all member-states not recognize any actions that are contrary to U.N. resolutions on the status of the city.

Several U.N. resolutions called on Israel to withdraw from territory seized during the 1967 War and have reaffirmed the need to end occupying that land.