Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 22
By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:
The US stance on Jerusalem is a black page in the history of world democracy, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, the country’s media reported Dec. 22.
He noted that the US authorities have always believed that if they are strong, they have the right to everything, but the world community has proven them wrong.
If Washington believes that democracy can be bought, then it is deeply mistaken, the Turkish president said.
The UN on Dec. 21 overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on Jerusalem, calling on the US to withdraw its recognition of the city as Israel's capital, despite threats by the US President Donald Trump to cut aid to those countries who voted against the move.
A total of 128 members voted in favor of the resolution, nine countries voted against and 35 others abstained.
The vote came after US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley issued a direct threat, saying the US will think twice about funding the world body if it voted to condemn Trump's decision.
Haley said the US will put its embassy in Jerusalem regardless of the vote.
"That is what the American people want us to do and it is the right thing to do," Haley said. "This vote will make a difference in how Americans look at the UN. And this vote will be remembered."