Trump Uses First UNSC Veto to Defend Jerusalem Decision - Israel Today

Trump Uses First UNSC Veto to Defend Jerusalem Decision

Tuesday, December 19, 2017 |  Israel Today Staff

The Trump Administration on Monday exercised its very first veto in the UN Security Council, and it was done to defend Israel's claim to Jerusalem.

The Security Council had gathered to vote on a resolution effectively condemning the United States for publicly recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The document expressed "deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem," a clear reference to US President Donald Trump's declaration earlier this month that Washington now officially considers the Holy City to be the capital of the Jewish state.

The 14 other members of the Security Council all voted in favor of the resolution. US Ambassador Nikki Haley's "no" vote then sent it to the trash bin.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu immediately published a video message thanking Trump and Haley for taking such a bold stand.

Haley told the council that Trump's America will continue to defend Israel "without reluctance." She also put the world body on notice, stating that "will not be told, by any country, where we will put our embassy. ...What happened today at the Security Council is an insult. It won’t be forgotten."