UN Resolution on Jerusalem

What is the issue?

A resolution was passed in the UN with the support of 128 nations opposing the USA’s recent stand on the status of Jerusalem.

How did the situation evolve?

• While the entire territory of Jerusalem is currently under Israeli control, the UN has thus far been steadfast in stressing the disputed status of the city.
• Notably, due its historic and religious significance, Jerusalem is being claimed by both Israel and Palestine as their capital city.
• There are multiple proposals on how the status of the city can be resolved, one of which is declaring it an internationally administered territory.
• Recently, the US unilaterally recognized Jerusalem as the undisputed capital of Israel and also plans to shift its embassy there. 
• As the move could potentially ruin any hope of a solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, it received widespread international condemnation.

How did the resolution sail through?

• A resolution calling for compliance with the UN’s long standing view on Jerusalem was mooted in the UN Security Council by Egypt.
• While all members expect US spported the resolution, US vetoed it and thereby obstructing its passing.
• Subsequently, Egypt swiftly piloted the same in the General Assembly, where it had to muster a two-third majority to get it passed.
• Despite the US openly threatening member countries against supporting the resolution, it sailed through with a comfortable 128 up-votes.
• Notably, all members of the EU, ASEAN and GCC supported the resolution and only six countries that included “Israel, Honduras, Guatemala, and three Pacific island nations” voted against it.
• Significantly, 35 others, including neighbours Canada and Mexico abstained from the vote, with Bhutan being the only abstainer from south Asia.
• While the resolution doesn’t even mention US by name and is non-binding, it does have significant symbolic value and has made its point.

What are its implication for India?

• India too supported the resolution despite its domestic political compulsions  and its growing closeness with Israel and US.
• Hence, the vote is a timely reassurance that India abides by its principled long-standing policy on Palestine.
• This is bound to resonate well with the members of ‘Gulf Cooperation Coucil” with which it has crutial business ties.
• Also, Indo-Israeli ties won’t take a considerable beating, considering that India has largely de-hyphenated the Palestine question from its dealings with Isreal.
• Notably, India imports almost a third of Israel’s defence produce and Isreal would find it difficult to overlook India’s criticality for its economy.

Source: The Indian Express