Donald Trump has threatened to withhold “billions” of dollars of US aid from countries which vote in favour of a United Nations resolution rejecting the US president’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
In a letter to UN ambassadors, Haley told countries – including European delegations – that she will report back to the US president with the names of those who support a draft resolution rejecting the US move at the UN general assembly on Thursday, adding that Trump took the issue personally.
Diplomats expect strong support for the resolution, which is non-binding, despite the US pressure to either abstain or vote against it. However, a council diplomat said Canada, Hungary and the Czech Republic might bow to US pressure and not support the draft resolution.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has lambasted Trump's move, and hosted a summit of Muslim leaders last week which called for East Jerusalem to be recognized as the capital of Palestine. Israel calls Jerusalem its indivisible and eternal capital.
US seems not caring the affects of Jerusalem on Muslim States jeopardize the balance in Midlle East. But most of all, the situation exposes the missing leadership in Muslim State. Unless one of majro Muslim State such as Egpyt, Saudi Arabia or Turkey steps in to take the leadership, Jerusalem matter can be driven as non-Muslim State wishes.
