The Palestinians, true to form, have decided to try to internationalize their dispute with Donald Trump over Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
A resolution in the Security Council contained diplomatic wording that did not mention the U.S. by name, but was the equivalent of demanding the U.S. reverse its decision. The U.S. vetoed the resolution, in a 14-1 vote, with US Ambassador Nikki Haley issuing this warning:
“The United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy. What we have witnessed here is an insult. It won’t be forgotten.”
The Palestinians now have run to the General Assembly, where the U.S. has no veto power and they are guaranteed a large majority for anything that is deemed anti-Israel.
Reuters reports:
The 193-member United Nations General Assembly will hold a rare emergency special session on Thursday at the request of Arab and Muslim states on U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.Palestinian U.N. envoy Riyad Mansour said the General Assembly would vote on a draft resolution calling for Trump’s declaration to be withdrawn, which was vetoed by the United States in the 15-member U.N. Security Council on Monday….Mansour said on Monday he hoped there would be “overwhelming support” in the General Assembly for the resolution. Such a vote is non-binding, but carries political weight.
Nikki Haley is having none of it and is putting people on notice that this will not pass unpunished. She tweeted:
At the UN we’re always asked to do more & give more. So, when we make a decision, at the will of the American ppl, abt where to locate OUR embassy, we don’t expect those we’ve helped to target us. On Thurs there’ll be a vote criticizing our choice. The US will be taking names.
(added) Haley also circulated a letter to members letting them know the U.S. means it:
“The president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those who voted against us,” she wrote in a letter obtained by Haaretz. “Thank you for your consideration, and please do not hesitate to contact my team with any questions or concerns.” ….Haley continued, “As you know, the General Assembly is considering a resolution about President Trump’s recent decision on Jerusalem. As you consider your vote, I encourage you to know the president and the U.S. take this vote personally.
I previously have compared Haley to Daniel Patrick Moynihan when she delivered this defense of Israel in February 2017, Nikki Haley’s epic Moynihan-like defense of Israel at U.N.:
I’m here to say the United States will not turn a blind eye to this anymore. I am here to underscore the ironclad support of the United States for Israel. I’m here to emphasize the United States is determined to stand up to the UN’s anti-Israel bias. We will never repeat the terrible mistake of Resolution 2334 and allow one-sided Security Council resolutions to condemn Israel….It is the UN’s anti-Israel bias that is long overdue for change. The United States will not hesitate to speak out against these biases in defense of our friend and ally, Israel.
Perhaps a Jeanne Kirkpatrick comparison also is in order.
So where would be a good place to start punishing the driving force behind this effort?
How about the Senate passing the Taylor Force Act (already passed by the House), so Trump can sign it, which he has said he would do. It would cut off funding for the Palestinian Authority if it continued to pay terrorists and their families for killing and maiming Israelis.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY