Foreign Minister: Jerusalem issue is sensitive, Georgia does not join voting for its status

Georgian delegation did not participate in voting for the status of Jerusalem at the United Nations General Assembly session today.

We had consultations with our partners over this issue. Our delegation did not took part in discussions and thus – in voting due to the sensitiveness of the topic”, Georgian Foreign Minister Mikheil Janelidze explained.

With 128 votes in favour, 9 against and 35 abstention, UN-member states have passed the resolution that contradicts to the United States President Donald Trump’s recent decision on announcing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The chart shows the states that voted in favour and against the resolution, and those that abstained.

Affirming "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” the resolution calls upon all states to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in Jerusalem.

US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley thanked Georgia and other countries "for not falling to the irresponsible ways of the United Nations”.

Trump recognised Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced plans to relocate the US embassy, which is currently based in Tel Aviv.

Georgian Foreign Ministry then stated that Georgia supports the efforts of the international community aimed at the peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which should be achieved through an agreement based on dialogue.