New York, December 21, 2017 (WAFA) - The United Nations General Assembly Thursday began its 10th emergency session under the title of "United for Peace"; to decide on a draft resolution regarding the illegality of US President Donald Trump recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
At the request of Turkey and Yemen, the meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York will consider the implications of Trump’s announcement and a draft resolution rejecting any change in the legal status of Jerusalem, especially after the US veto at the Security Council.
This session comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that would vote in favor of the draft resolution opposing his decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel during the vote in the General Assembly on Thursday.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Hailey earlier threatened countries that oppose Washington‘s position on Jerusalem by “taking names” during the emergency session of the UNGA.
Foreign Affairs Minister Riyad al-Malki said in a statement before the General Assembly: “What will happen here today is a writing of history that will be studied by future generations and how the Palestinian diplomacy was able to defeat the largest country in the world.”
Malki described the threats posed by Trump and his country‘s ambassador to the UN, as "politically and diplomatically ignorant," and that it has carried many member states - some of them poor - to make a point of not wanting US aid.
"We promise that today‘s vote in the General Assembly will be a new starting point for the Palestinian cause, and we stress that the Palestinian side will not return to negotiations until the world recognizes Palestine as an independent state," he said.
Malki said that after this step in the General Assembly, there will be an evaluation session to discuss the benefit of this international momentum, and invest it quickly and immediately, noting that the Palestinian action will extend to demanding full membership in the UN.
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