The Gambia, one of the smallest country in mainly Africa, Thursday bravely voted in favour of a United Nation’s General Assembly resolution effectively calling on the US to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The Gambia is among 127 countries that decisively said yes to the resolution despite threats by US president Donald Trump to cut aid to countries that backed the resolution.
The non-binding resolution says that any decisions regarding the status of the city are “null and void” and must be cancelled.
Thirty five countries abstained and nine others including Togo voted against the resolution.
The text put forward by Turkey and Yemen does not mention the US, but expresses “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem”.
It also says “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status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council”.
Here is a country breakdown of the General Assembly vote:
Member states that voted in favour of the resolution
A: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan
B: Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi
C: Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica
E: Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia
F: Finland, France
G: Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana
I: Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy
J: Japan, Jordan
K: Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan
L: Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg
M:Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique
N: Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway
O: Oman
P: Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal
Q: Qatar
R: Republic of Korea (South Korea), Russia
S: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria
T: Tajikistan, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey
U: United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan
V: Venezuela, Vietnam
Y: Yemen
Z: Zimbabwe
Member states that voted against the resolution
G: Guatemala
H: Honduras
I: Israel
M: Marshall Islands, Micronesia
N: Nauru
P: Palau
T: Togo
U: United States
Member states that abstained
A: Antigua-Barbuda, Argentina, Australia
B: Bahamas, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina
C: Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic
D: Dominican Republic
E: Equatorial Guinea
F: Fiji
H: Haiti, Hungary
J: Jamaica
K: Kiribati
L: Latvia, Lesotho
M: Malawi, Mexico
P: Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland
R: Romania, Rwanda
S: Solomon Islands, South Sudan
T: Trinidad-Tobago, Tuvalu
U: Uganda
V: Vanuatu
I think The Gambia did the right thing, even if there may be consequences. All countries should send a clear message to Washington that “assistance” shouldn’t be a tool for control. It is a pity that some African countries have trembled and either abstained or voted with the US and Israel.
The U.N. should now consider the secret ballot, given that democratic expression of nation’s positions can be stifled for fear of reprisals.
With Trump’s Despotic, Facism, Bax’s suggestion for Anonymous Voting at the UN General Assembly and Security Council Should be Proposed and Voted on by the General Assembly. Given the overwhelming Condernmnation of the Unilateral Declaration by Trump, and his Ilegal “Gifting” of Jerusalem to Israel and his Co-despot Benjamin Nethanyahou of Israel who like Trump is supported by a tiny Extreamist Racist Cult like Parties, the So-called Tea Party, Evangelist and Neo-Confederates of Rural America; and Racist Extreamist, Orthodox Jewish Parties in Israel, the General Assembly would easily Pass a Resolution Calling for Anonymous Voting. After the Unholy Alliance of these Two Menance to World Peace and Collective Security are Decisively and Throughly cut to their size, the normal Voting Methods may be reinstated. That may not be long. Trump’s Cynical and Irratic Self-serving rage and ranting is a Cry for help of Petulant and Troubled Soul who is being Exorcised by the Special Counsel, Robert Mueller. Trump is feeling Cornered as his Ilegal, Potentially Criminal Enterprise before, during and after the Presidential Campaign is fast Crashing on him, his son, Son-in-law and several Associates. Like the rabid or Wounded animal that senses its Demise, Trump is attacking and throwing any and everything at hand with the hope that he can save himself. Those Counties and Leaders who threw their lot with Trump, will soon find out that “Friendship” or Cavoting with Trump is like riding the Proverbial Tiger. Be very careful. You are like to end up in the Tigers Mouth. The road to Trump is paved with deadly traps. Watch out, you may be his Sacrificial Lamb. Trump was raised on a Diet of Racism, Betrayal and Self-preservation. Anything to save himself even if it means plunging the World into a War the World has yet to Witness would be an acceptable Chip the One time Casino Businessman would be willing to bet on. This is why those countries that voted with Trump’s Administration, not America, because most Americans are against Trump’s Despotic, Unilateralist “Gifting” of Jerusalem to the “Benjamin Nethanyahou Club” in Israel. Nethanyahou like Trump is under investigation for Corruption and Corruptive Practices and other Unconstitutional Acts or Behavior. A a Consequences, he too would Risk it all inorder to avoid Indictment and Potentially a Jail Cell as a Residence in 2018. Trump is Not a Role Model for any Emerging or Existing Leadership and Democractic Dispensation to Emulate or Follow. He is not a believer in Democractic Institutions, nor Jurisprudence, Law and Order Provisions unless he is in Total Control of them. Is that what those who Abstained or Voted with the Trump Administration Really believe their Citizens’ want? I believe not.