UN censures U.S. over Jerusalem embassy move

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly Thursday to declare “null and void” the U.S. decision to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. While Palestinians celebrated the 128-9 vote, they did not garner as much support for the international censure as they had hoped. Thirty-five countries abstained from the vote, and representatives from 21 countries left the chamber ahead of the tally. As debate on the measure began, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley warned the Trump administration would not forget such a snub. “We will remember it when we are called upon once again to make the world’s largest contribution to the United Nations,” she said. “And we will remember when so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit.” President Donald Trump announced earlier this month he would move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, Israel’s capital. Palestinian leaders also hope to declare part of Jerusalem their capital one day, prompting most countries to avoid putting embassies in the city. The UN vote is nonbinding and will not affect the Trump administration’s plans, Haley said.