Global Geopolitical Series: U.N. Security Council to vote against Trump’s Jerusalem move on Monday

United Nations’ Security Council (UNSC) will vote on Monday on a resolution proposed by Egypt to counter President Trump’s move to unilaterally recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital earlier this month. The draft document, which has been reportedly seen by Reuters doesn’t specifically mention the United States or President Donald Trump but says, “any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council.” The text adds, “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem”, though it doesn’t mention the decision taken by the United States. The document also “demands that all states comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not to recognize any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions.” The resolution that is being referred here is the resolution that was adopted in December 2016 saying that the international community will not recognize any changes to the 1967 lines, including the status of Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the parties through negotiations.” President Trump broke away with decades-old U.S. stand to not recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital despite Congress passing an act urging the State Department to move U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

However, the document is unlikely to see the legal green signal as it would need to secure 9 votes in the 15 member council and there should be no veto from Russia, China, France, U.S. or the United Kingdom. The U.S. is sure to veto the resolution.