Abul Ata: any decision aims to change Jerusalem’s identity is void

CAIRO - 18 December 2017: Egypt's Ambassador to the United Nations Amr Abul Ata affirmed in a speech at the emergency meeting of the Security Council that any decisions try to change the Arabic identity of Jerusalem should be considered void and must be reversed.

He added in a short speech, Monday that Egypt used to be in the forefront countries that have defended the Palestinian cause and will continue to do so until reaching a diplomatic solution.

The emergency meeting held Monday came per Egypt's demand to vote over a draft resolution calling on U.S. administration to reverse its decision regarding the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, however used the veto right to prevent the adoption of the resolution.

She added in a short speech following the voting that she used the veto to defend the United States’s decision and opinion regarding the peace process in Palestine.

About 14 countries voted affirmative for Egypt's draft resolution including Britain and France who said that they "regret the United States’ choice today."