UN Security Council to consider calling on Trump to withdraw Jerusalem decision

Draft resolution by Egypt is likely to be vetoed by the United States but has broad support, diplomats say

epaselect epa06392120 Palestinian protesters wave a Palestinian flag during clashes near the border with Israel, against US President decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the east of Gaza City, 15 December 2017. Two Palestinians were killed during the clashes in the east of Gaza Strip. US president Donald J. Trump on 06 December announced he is recognizing Jerusalem as the Israel capital and will relocate the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.  EPA/MOHAMMED SABER
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The United Nations Security Council is considering a draft resolution that would insist any decisions on the status of Jerusalem have no legal effect and must be rescinded after US President Donald Trump recognised the city as Israel's capital.

The one-page Egyptian-drafted text, which was circulated to the 15-member council on Saturday and seen by Reuters, does not specifically mention the United States or Trump. Diplomats say it has broad support but will likely be vetoed by Washington.

Diplomats said the council could vote as early as Monday or Tuesday. A resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, France, Britain, Russia or China to be adopted.

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Mr Trump abruptly reversed decades of US policy this month, generating outrage from Palestinians and defying warnings of Middle East violence. He also plans to move the US embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

The draft UN resolution "affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council".

It "calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem, pursuant to Resolution 478 (1980) of the Security Council".

Israel considers the city its eternal and indivisible capital and wants all embassies based there. Palestinians want the capital of an independent Palestinian state to be in the city's eastern sector, which Israel captured in a 1967 war and annexed in a move never recognised internationally.

The draft council resolution "demands that all states comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not to recognise any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions".