Indonesia expects support for Jerusalem resolution at UN General Assembly

Indonesia is expecting strong support for a resolution seeking the withdrawal of US President Donald Trump`s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel`s capital at the UN General Assembly`s special session in New York on Dec 21.

The Egyptian-drafted resolution has been backed by 14 UN Security Council members but vetoed by US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley who described it as "an insult" that will not be forgotten and that the United States will not be ordered by any country where it should set up its embassy.

"We see there is a unanimous support for the resolution (during the Security Council voting), and we hope such strong commitment would also be demonstrated during the UN General Assembly," Foreign Ministry`s spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir noted in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Nasir explained that if the total 193 UN member states support the resolution, it will be a political statement that the international community rejects the United States` plan to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

"Every international security issue can be discussed in the General Assembly, particularly since the UN Security Council has failed to take a decision due to the US veto," Nasir added.

Indonesia, to be represented by its Permanent Representative to the UN Dian Triansyah Djani, will gather support from all countries as well as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Non-Aligned Movement to advance the draft resolution.

The resolution reiterates the long-standing position of the Security Council in several resolutions dating back five decades, rejecting Israel`s sovereignty claims over Jerusalem, the holy city revered by Christians, Jews, and Muslims.

Without pinpointing to the United States, the resolution also reiterates the council`s view that no country should establish an embassy in Jerusalem, and that the city`s status is an issue to be resolved by Israel and Palestine.

Indonesia continues to promote Palestinian independence through a peace process and dialog with various parties, including the United States.

In this case, Nasir asserted that Indonesia will never consider severing diplomatic relations with the United States.

"Israel relies on the US for its peace process. If there is no communication, how can we change the stance of the US," he stated

Source: ANTARA