WJC laments UN resolution: “Jerusalem is the indisputable capital of Israel, and US has every right to recognize it as such”

NEW YORK – World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder on Thursday lamented the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution to reject US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The resolution was approved in a vote of 128 in favor, 9 against, and 35 abstentions, and followed a US veto of an earlier Security Council vote on the matter.
 
Lauder said: “Jerusalem has always been the indisputable capital of Israel and the historic capital of the Jewish people, and the United States has every right as a sovereign country to recognize it as such and exercise its veto as necessary. These are facts that will remain true regardless of any international claims to the contrary.
 
“The World Jewish Congress deeply appreciates the United States’ strong reaffirmation of its support for and friendship with the State of Israel, and for its clear reiteration of its policy regarding this issue,” Lauder added. “As President Trump rightfully said in his announcement earlier this month, Jerusalem is a holy city for Jews, Christians, and Muslims, all of whom deserve to have their religious sites and historical connection respected. This too is a fact that will never change.
 
“It is ironic that the UN General Assembly has chosen the unusual step of holding an emergency session, of which it has convened only 10 since its creation, to discuss this issue, when there are so many other global matters in need of urgent attention.
 
“The United Nations has become a hotbed of anti-Israel activity, and its bodies and agencies are routinely being used for political manipulation and bias,” Lauder concluded. “We urge other member states, especially Israel’s allies in the international community, to repel these double standards and support Israel against these irrational resolutions.”