As the UN Security Council vote on ‘the situation in the Middle East, including Palestinian question’ gets underway, the United Kingdom said it would vote against the decision of U.S. President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Amb. Matthew Rycroft, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, stated this ahead of the Security Council Briefing on the Middle East and vote on the draft resolution sponsored by Egypt.
“The United Kingdom will vote in favour of the Egyptian text on Jerusalem because it is in line with our longstanding position on Jerusalem.
“It is in line with previous Security Council resolutions, and we call on all parties to renew efforts in favour of a long and sustained and a sustainable peace in the Middle East.
“We also call on all political leaders to encourage everyone to refrain from violence; it is only in a peaceful situation that the chances of peace will be maximised,” he said.
On what happens if the U.S. vetoes the resolution, Rycroft said the U.S. could speak for itself that they would be vetoing the text because it was not in line with its own position.
The UK envoy stressed that “as you know, the UK has a different position on Jerusalem”.
“Our view is that the issue of Jerusalem is a final status issue, that Jerusalem should be a shared capitol for Israelis and for Palestinians, and the UK Embassy, for now, will remain in Tel Aviv.
“The United States will continue to play an extremely important role in the search for peace in the Middle East.
“We commend President Trump for his efforts and energy in that direction, and we call on the U.S. administration to put forward concrete details, proposals as soon as possible to take that process forward”.
