UN considers forcing US to withdraw decision on Jerusalem

The Security Council is considering a draft resolution that would reject any declaration on the status of Jerusalem, forcing the US to withdraw its decision on the city.

A meeting at the United Nations Security Council. Photo: Reuters.

The draft resolution, drafted by Egypt, was presented to the 15-member UN Security Council on December 16, Reuters reported. The draft does not mention the United States or President Donald Trump.

The draft "affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the city of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void, and must be revoked in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions." The draft calls on states not to establish diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

The Security Council could vote on the draft next week. The United States is likely to veto it, diplomats say. To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes from the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.

US President Donald Trump on December 6 announced that he would recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to the city. Immediately after, Arab foreign ministers unanimously called for a Security Council resolution to prevent it.

The US mission to the United Nations declined to comment. US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said Mr Trump's decision was "the right thing to do".

Jerusalem is a holy city for Jews, Muslims and Christians. The status of Jerusalem is one of the biggest obstacles to the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. Israel occupied East Jerusalem in 1967 and considers all of Jerusalem as its undivided capital. Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state.

A Security Council resolution, adopted in December 2016, “emphasized that it would not recognise any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including in Jerusalem, unless they were agreed upon through negotiations.” The resolution then received 14 votes in favour and one abstention, with the US absent.

Half a century of sovereignty disputes in the holy land of Jerusalem (click on the image for details).

According to VNE