United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley issued a stern warning to members states over Thursday’s General Assembly resolution condemning President Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The resolution also calls on member states to not move their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, but thus far only the U.S. has announced its intention to do so.
It is the same resolution the United States vetoed Monday at the UN Security Council, where 14 other nations approved it. That was the first time the U.S. exercised its veto power since 2011.
After the vote, Haley was clear that “the United States will not be told by any country where we can put our embassy.”
She added: “The fact that this veto is being done in defense of American sovereignty and in defense of America’s role in the Middle East peace process is not a source of embarrassment for us; it should be an embarrassment to the remainder of the Security Council.”
She also issued a warning to member states in a letter that partially circulated online.
“To be clear, we are not asking for other countries [to] move their embassies to Jerusalem, though we think it would be appropriate. We are simply asking you acknowledge the historical friendship, partnership, and support we have extended and respect our decision about our embassy.
“The president will be watching this vote carefully and has requested I report back on those who voted against us. We will take note of every vote on this issue,” Haley wrote.
She doubled down on that warning late Tuesday in a tweet.
“At the UN we're always asked to do more & give more,” Haley said in a tweet late Tuesday. “So, when we make a decision, at the will of the American ppl, abt where to locate OUR embassy, we don't expect those we've helped to target us. On Thurs there'll be a vote criticizing our choice. The US will be taking names.”
At the UN we're always asked to do more & give more. So, when we make a decision, at the will of the American ppl, abt where to locate OUR embassy, we don't expect those we've helped to target us. On Thurs there'll be a vote criticizing our choice. The US will be taking names. pic.twitter.com/ZsusB8Hqt4
— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) December 19, 2017