Turkish religious leader says UN vote a 'slap' for US

By Ruslan Rehimov

BAKU, Azerbaijan

Turkey’s senior religious figure on Friday described the UN vote against the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital as a “slap” from the rest of the world.

Ali Erbas, head of the Directorate of Religious Affairs Diyanet, called on U.S. President Donald Trump to reconsider his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital following Thursday night’s vote on a resolution sponsored by Turkey and Yemen.

The vote saw 128 countries approve the motion that the U.S. decision was “null and void”. Nine countries voted against.

“This is in fact a slap at the U.S.,” Erbas said during a visit to Azerbaijani capital Baku.

“The U.S., which has always thought of itself as the owner of the world, has received a true answer not only from Muslim countries but also from other countries and the people of the world.”

The UN General Assembly vote was preceded by U.S. threats to withdraw aid from countries and cut backing for the UN.

“We hope that this answer causes them to re-think and revoke their decision,” Erbas said, referring to Washington. “The world has really shown that it is bigger than five [permanent Security Council members].

“Actually, only one country, the U.S., is left alone. Therefore, I think that the U.S. will take a lesson from this.”

Apart from the U.S. and Israel, just seven nations opposed the nonbinding resolution although 35 of the 193 UN member states abstained and 21 were absent from the vote.

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