Turkish opposition leaders hail UN vote on Jerusalem

By Muhammed Ali Toruntay and Duygu Yener

ANKARA

Turkey's opposition leaders hailed the UN General Assembly's clear-cut rejection Thursday of U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

"The Middle East, where blood and tears prevail, cannot tolerate any more tension," Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition People’s Republican Party (CHP), said on Twitter.

"The decision of the UN General Assembly on Jerusalem is an important step for tranquility in the Middle East and world peace," he wrote.

The full 193-member UN General Assembly met for a rare emergency special session regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Unlike at the Security Council, the U.S. has no veto power in the assembly.

A total of 128 members voted in favor of the resolution while nine countries voted against it and 35 others abstained.

Devlet Bahceli, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader, said the countries voting for the resolution has "actually spoiled the U.S.’s game that they have played on our first Qibla," referring to the praying direction of the Muslims.

"Emailed threats sent by U.S. Permanent Representative [to the UN Nikki Haley] to UN member states and Trump's [attempt at] blackmail by threatening to cut off financial aid to the countries that vote for the resolution have been left without a response.

"The threats have backfired and exploded in the U.S.’s lap," said Bahceli.

“I congratulate 128 honorable countries serving peace -- peace and stability. Of course, I congratulate our politicians and diplomats that have brought the Jerusalem cause to the world agenda and find wide support,” Bahceli added.