Turkish opposition head voices support for UN decision

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader voiced support for the UN General Assembly’s decision to reject the U.S. move to recognize Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the final day debating of the 2018 budget, Kemal Kilicdaroglu said: "The decision is very important for peace in the Middle East."

"This is a decision in the sense that the world took up position on behalf of establishing a Palestine state," said Kilicdaroglu.

He said: "I wholeheartedly thank those who contributed to this decision, and who allowed the decision to be rejected."

On Dec. 6, Trump unilaterally announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, drawing widespread regional and international condemnation.

The non-binding resolution, sponsored by Turkey and Yemen, was approved by 128 countries. Nine votes against, 35 abstained while 21 delegations were absent from the vote.

On Monday, the U.S. vetoed a Security Council resolution backed by the 14 other council members calling on Trump to reverse his Jerusalem decision.