US Thanks Georgia For Not Taking Part in UN Vote Over Jerusalem

United States Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley thanked Georgia and other countries for not taking part in voting for the status of Jerusalem at the United Nations General Assembly session on December 21.

At the session 128 countries voted to denounce US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The nine countries voting "no" were the US, Israel, Guatemala, Honduras, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands and Togo.

Among the notable 35 abstentions were Australia, Argentina, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic and Mexico. 21 of the 193 UN member states were absent for the vote including Kenya, Georgia and Ukraine which have close US ties.

 “We appreciate these countries for not falling to the irresponsible ways of the United Nations,” Nikki Haley wrote on Facebook after the vote.

Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze explained the issue is “very sensitive”, adding after the consultations with partner states, Georgia decided not to take part in the vote.

“35 states abstained, including some EU countries. The position of the EU was not common over the issue. Due to the sensitiveness of the issue, Georgian delegation also abstained,” Janelidze stated.

The vote came after a warning from Nikki Haley, who said that Washington would remember which countries “disrespected” America by voting against it.

Before that, Trump had threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that voted in favor at the UN resolution, that denounces Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel on December 6, saying the United States would relocate its Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. 

By Thea Morrison

photo: nypost.com