RAMALLAH: A spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas welcomed the UN vote as a victory for the Palestinian cause.

“The vote is a victory for Palestine,” said spokesman Nabil Abu Rdainah. “We will continue our efforts in the United Nations and at all international forums to put an end to this occupation and to establish our Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.

“This decision reaffirms once again that the just Palestinian cause enjoys the support of international law, and no decision by any party can change the reality.”

The spokesman said the vote also showed that “Jerusalem is occupied territory under international law”.

ERDOGAN: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan asked US President Donald Trump to reverse his decision recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in view of the UN vote.

Erdogan had earlier called on UN member states not to be swayed by Trump’s threat to cut funding for countries that backed the motion.

“We welcome with great pleasure the UN General Assembly’s overwhelming support... We expect the Trump administration to rescind without further delay its unfortunate decision, whose illegality has been clearly established,” Erdogan said on Twitter.

Published in Dawn, December 22nd, 2017