UN Jerusalem vote - as it happened: UN General Assembly rejects Trump's Israel declaration

Motion to condemn US President's decision passed

The United Nations General Assembly votes 128-9 to declare the United States' Jerusalem capital recognition 'null and void'

The UN General Assembly voted 128-9 to declare US President Donald Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital "null and void".

The vote, while a victory for the Palestinians, was significantly lower than its supporters had hoped for, with many forecasting at least 150 "yes" votes. There were a total of 35, while 21 nations did not turn up for the vote.

Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the result, his spokesman saying: "The vote is a victory for Palestine.

"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."

For all the day's developments, as they happened, see the live blog below - if it does not appear click here

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he completely rejects the “preposterous” UN resolution.

Mr Netanyahu added in a video posted to Facebook that Jerusalem “always was, always will be” Israel's capital. He also said he appreciates that “a growing number of countries refuse to participate in this theatre of the absurd.”

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had said the UN should teach Mr Trump a “very good lesson”, after the US leader threatened to cut aid to countries that support the resolution being put forward to the UN General Assembly

Mr Erdogan said UN member states should not let their decision be dictated by money.

“Mr. Trump, you cannot buy Turkey's democratic will with your dollars,” he said.

“The dollars will come back, but your will won't once it's sold. That is why your stance is important.”

Mr Trump's announcement two weeks ago that he was recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital broke with decades of US policy and international consensus that the city's status must be left to Israeli-Palestinian talks.

Last week Mr Erdogan hosted a special meeting of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation, which condemned Mr Trump's decision and called on the world to respond by recognising East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Jerusalem, revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, has been at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for decades. Israel captured Arab East Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed it in an action not recognised internationally.

Mr Trump's Jerusalem move led to harsh criticisms from Muslim countries and Israel's closest European allies, who have also rejected the move.

A draft resolution calling for withdrawal of Mr Trump's decision was vetoed at the United Nations Security Council by the United States on Monday. Following that vote, opponents of the US decision called for the vote in the General Assembly.

“I hope and expect the United States won't get the result it expects from there and the world will give a very good lesson to the United States,” Mr Erdogan said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the United Nations as a “house of lies” ahead of the vote

“The State of Israel totally rejects this vote, even before (the resolution's) approval,” Mr Netanyahu said in a speech at a hospital dedication in the port city of Ashdod.

Reuters contributed to this report

Key Points

• General Assembly rules against US, declaring recognition of Israel capital 'null and void'
• UN human rights chief quits after Trump Jerusalem decision, saying he will not 'bend a knee in supplication'

[21 December 2017 18:10 · Kristin Hugo]

French UN Ambassador Francois Delattre said in a statement: "The resolution adopted today only confirms relevant international law provisions on Jerusalem. This vote must not divide or exclude."

[21 December 2017 18:23 · Kristin Hugo]

Israel's prime minister says he completely rejects the "preposterous" UN resolution declaring the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital as "null and void." 

Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video posted to Facebook that Jerusalem "always was, always will be" Israel's capital. He also says he appreciates that "a growing number of countries refuse to participate in this theatre of the absurd." 

Mr Netanyahu also thanked President Donald Trump for his "stalwart defence of Israel." 

[21 December 2017 18:46 · Kristin Hugo]

Here are some photos of the vote and reaction to it, and of Palestinian reaction to Donald Trump's contentious decision to name Jerusalem the capital of Israel in the first place.

[21 December 2017 19:21 · Kristin Hugo]

[21 December 2017 19:49 · Kristin Hugo]

[21 December 2017 20:22 · Kristin Hugo]

Here's our explainer of the Jerusalem-Israel vote today in the United Nations, for anyone who needs a quick refreher.

[21 December 2017 21:14 · Kristin Hugo]

An executive committee member of the Palestine Liberation Organization has praised the United Nations vote after the international body rejected the United States' decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

"We are extremely encouraged and empowered by the overwhelming vote in favor of a UNGA resolution rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital," Dr Hanan Ashrawi said in a statement.

"We extend our gratitude and appreciation to the 128 countries who supported the resolution and sent a clear message that Israel cannot maintain its illegal annexation of Jerusalem. The international community has unequivocally proved that it will not be intimidated or blackmailed, and its members will defend the global rule of law and justice."

[21 December 2017 23:00 · Kristin Hugo]

The Reuters United Nations bureau chief has tweeted that America's UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, has invited the countries that voted against the US on the Jerusalem decision to a reception, in spite of their opposition.

[22 December 2017 01:23 · Tom Batchelor]

That is it for our live coverage of the UN vote - and reaction to it. Thanks for joining us.