UN General Assembly Rejects Trump’s Decision, Threats

Dr. Riyad Mansour (center), Palestine’s observer at the United Nations, talks with members of the General Assembly prior to a vote Thursday at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Dr. Riyad Mansour (center), Palestine’s observer at the United Nations, talks with members of the General Assembly prior to a vote Thursday at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
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UN General Assembly Rejects Trump’s Decision, Threats

Dr. Riyad Mansour (center), Palestine’s observer at the United Nations, talks with members of the General Assembly prior to a vote Thursday at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Dr. Riyad Mansour (center), Palestine’s observer at the United Nations, talks with members of the General Assembly prior to a vote Thursday at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)

The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday approved a resolution banning a change in the “character, status or demographic composition of the city of Jerusalem”, in a clear rejection of US President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize the city as the capital of Israel, despite his administration’s threats to punish countries voting against his decision.
 
The decision came as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met in Riyadh on Thursday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and discussed the need to “intensify practical efforts to ensure the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.”
 
While 128 States supported the General Assembly resolution, only nine opposed it - Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Togo, and the United States - with 35 abstentions.
 
US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley repeated her threats to cut off aid to those who vote in favor of the resolution.
 
“This vote will make a difference on how Americans look at the UN and on how we look at countries who disrespect us in the UN. And this vote will be remembered,” she said ahead of the vote on the status of Jerusalem.
 
The resolution demanded that all states “comply with Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not recognize any actions or measures contrary to those resolutions.”
 
“Any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council,” it added.
 
The Assembly also called upon all states to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem, pursuant to Security Council Resolution 478 adopted in 1980.
 
Reiterating its call for the reversal of the negative trends that endanger the two-State solution, the Assembly urged greater international and regional efforts and support aimed at achieving, without delay, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
 
Abbas said the resolution “confirms the international community’s position on our side,” while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the United Nations a “house of lies.”
 
In his address to the General Assembly, the representative of Israel, Danny Danon, said: ““No General Assembly resolution will ever drive us from Jerusalem.”
 
Other speakers included Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, and the ambassadors of Yemen, Turkey, Venezuela, Pakistan, Indonesia, Maldives, Syria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Iran, China, Malaysia, North Korea, South Africa and the Vatican, who have all stressed that East Jerusalem was the capital of the state of Palestine and that the US decision undermined peace efforts and a two-state solution.



Sudanese Army Recaptures Positions from RSF in El Fasher

Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)
Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)
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Sudanese Army Recaptures Positions from RSF in El Fasher

Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)
Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)

The Sudanese army carried out a surprise military operation in the early hours of Saturday in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, regaining several positions in the city’s far southwest that it had previously abandoned to advancing Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Military sources reported that calm returned to El Fasher after intense clashes on Friday between the army and RSF fighters, who attempted a major offensive to deepen their hold inside the city. In a statement, the army said its Sixth Infantry Division successfully repelled a fresh RSF attack, inflicting heavy losses in personnel and equipment, and restored control over all frontline areas.

RSF militants had infiltrated southern neighborhoods, seizing the Central Security Reserve headquarters and the Shalla prison. According to army sources, these forces were pushed back through ground combat supported by extensive drone strikes, forcing them to retreat to their original positions. The sources confirmed there were no significant breakthroughs or territorial gains by the RSF following the operation.

In a statement on Saturday, Prime Minister Kamel Idris expressed “deep anger, pain, and responsibility” over the worsening humanitarian disaster in El Fasher. He condemned the “suffocating and inhumane siege imposed by the RSF militia,” describing it as “one of the most brutal cases of collective extortion and systematic starvation in recent history.”

Idris vowed that the government would not stand idly by in the face of this “atrocious” crime and pledged to use all political, diplomatic, and humanitarian means to break the siege and ensure urgent aid reaches civilians trapped in El Fasher amid widespread starvation and international silence.

He called on United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, along with international and humanitarian organizations, to act immediately to pressure the militia to open humanitarian corridors and end the use of starvation as a weapon against civilians.

The prime minister highlighted the RSF’s refusal to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2736, which demands lifting the siege on El Fasher, and their rejection of UN calls for a humanitarian ceasefire. He held the militia responsible for obstructing aid and accountable for the ongoing starvation and terror inflicted on civilians.

Idris warned against silence over these crimes, including the killing of civilians fleeing the siege and bombardments. He also cited the systematic destruction of hospitals by RSF suicide drone and strategic attacks, threatening the lives of millions of innocent civilians.

“What is happening in El Fasher is a major crime committed in full view and hearing of the world,” he said, urging the international community to move beyond lukewarm statements to real action and pressure on those besieging, starving, and attacking civilians.

The RSF continues to attempt to seize the city and its army base, the last stronghold of government forces across all Darfur states. Military sources said defenders repelled the assault and inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers.

The RSF has maintained a tight siege on El Fasher since May 2024, blocking all roads and supply routes and preventing humanitarian aid from entering, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths from starvation and medical shortages.