The United States votes against anti-Israel resolution on Golan Heights for the first time; Haley: The United States will no longer abstain when the United Nations engages in its useless annual vote on the Golan Heights.

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The United States for the first time opposed a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly calling on Israel to return the Golan Heights to Syria.

Of the nine resolutions passed against the State of Israel on Friday, only the United States and Israel voted against the resolution on “occupied Syrian Golan” with 151 votes in favor and 14 abstentions.

United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, confirmed the United States would vote against the resolution prior to the assembly. She stated “The United States will no longer abstain when the United Nations engages in its useless annual vote on the Golan Heights. If this resolution ever made sense, it surely does not today. The resolution is plainly biased against Israel. Further, the atrocities the Syrian regime continues to commit prove its lack of fitness to govern anyone. The destructive influence of the Iranian regime inside Syria presents major threats to international security. ISIS and other terrorist groups remain in Syria. And this resolution does nothing to bring any parties closer to a peace agreement. The United States will vote no.”

Each year, the General Assembly adopts several anti-Israel, pro-Palestinian resolutions. Resolutions passed this year include condemning Israel’s settlement activity, four resolutions relating to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and the resolution on the Golan Heights. One of the resolutions even accuses Israel of “repressive measures” on Syrian civilians. The IDF has been assisting and treating Syrians injured in its civil war through its field hospitals and humanitarian missions over the past years.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, condemned the resolutions and praised the United States for its support of Israel. He stated on Friday “The change in the American voting pattern is another testament to the strong cooperation between the two countries. I thank Ambassador Haley for her continued steadfastness with Israel and the truth. It is time for the world to distinguish between those who stabilize the region and those who sow terror.”

 

 

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