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By Matthew Russell Lee, Photos

UNITED NATIONS, January 4 -- Long after New York City's government had announced that public schools would be closed due to snow and wind on January 4, the UN of Secretary General Antonio Guterres said nothing. A noon briefing was held - Inner City Press managed to get in and asked about North Korea, Cameroon and UN corruption - and then the Visitors' Entrance was closed at 3 pm. If Inner City Press stepped out to report, it could not get back in for its laptop. So it reported from the so-called VIP Entrance of the UN. After 3 pm, Russian Ambassador Nebenzia went upstairs; coming down near four, when Inner City Press asked about an Iran meeting of the Security Council he said no, "unless they held it without me." He joked that this weather was nothing in Russia; later a Russian UN official told Inner City Press it has hardly snowed recently in Moscow. An Antonio Guterres official, Fabrizio Hochschild, went up with an ambiguous nod; a Department of Public Information official went past, stone-faced. Perhaps this was why: after 9 am, DPI had tweeted that the UN would be closed for visitors and tours. But what about the "non-resident correspondents" that DPI says can only access the UN through the Visitors Entrance? The Free UN Coalition for Access asked, as it has asked DPI to belatedly promulgate rules on how non-resident correspondents, including those like Inner City Press DPI has evicted without hearing or appeal (in ICP's case, for covering UN and DPI corruption regarding funds from convicted UN briber Ng Lap Seng), can obtain or be restored to the same access as the no show / no questions state media DPI favors. No answer - even on snow access. DPI's Alison Smale doesn't even answer her mail. After Super-storm Sandy, when the UN failed in commnications, it promised to improve. It hasn't, in this and other ways. On January 4, with no answer to its question about non-resident correspondents, Inner City Press at the noon briefing asked about Cameroon, UN corruption, FYROM, North Korea - and the snow job. From the UN transcript, to which the UN appended spin: Inner City Press: since the city itself closed public schools and the transit issued various warnings of changes and I did see that the… that the UN suspended tours and visitors... what's the relation between… who makes the decision for the UN?  And what's its relation to New York City's, including transportation, decisions? Deputy Spokesman:  These decisions are made by the Department of Management and the Department of Security and Safety.  They look at the relevant considerations about whether it's safe to come here or not, and they do take in account the facilities available in New York City, but this is the decision they made as of this morning. Inner City Press: What's the distinction between, I guess, visitors and… and staff and correspondents, non-resident correspondents?  What's the… what's the… could you know the basis of them suspending tours but... Deputy Spokesman:  If we do not have the capacity on certain days to maintain security for all the various entrances, then there's certain activities, like the activities of the visitors' side, that would need to be suspended. Inner City Press: Just because I remember after Superstorm Sandy, there was a lot of… I remember there was a big meeting in the North Lawn Building where diplomats were kind of critical of the UN in terms of its communication of weather-related issues.  Have there been improvements since that time?  And were they reflected today? Deputy Spokesman:  Yes.  And staff received periodic updates throughout the evening, in fact, about whether or not the building would be open.  If the building were closed, we would have put out announcement as soon as we could. Inner City Press: Did journalists…Deputy Spokesman:  I was hoping we could do that, frankly. Inner City Press: Sure, sure.  I mean, personally, I didn't receive anything.  So, I'm wondering, did… did MALU or DPI inform some journalists, non-journalists?  How did it work? Deputy Spokesman:  You'd have to ask MALU, the media accreditation people, what they did. Have a good afternoon. [The Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit clarified that it had sent out an advisory and a tweet this morning to inform journalists that the building was open.]" That last ignores that DPI never answered how non-resident correspondents are not restricted when the Visitors Entrance is closed, as occurred before 3 pm on January 4. UNanswered. The night before that storm, Inner City Press was one of only three media covering a big UN story - but unlike the other two, had to stop at DPI's 7 pm censorship deadline. The US Mission to the UN held a reception on January 3 to thank for their friendship with the US the countries which on Jerusalem voted with the US, abstained or didn't vote at all. Inner City Press, which covered that December 21 vote in the UN General Assembly, went to see who accepted Ambassador Nikki Haley's invitation.

Periscope video here.

Canada's Ambassador Marc-André Blanchard stopped and spoke, photo here; some other Ambassadors rushed in declining any comment.

This was not the case with Hungary's Katalin Bogyay, who also greeted Nikki Haley in the General Assembly on December 21, nor Volodymyr Yelchenko of Ukraine, which didn't vote in the GA, after voting with the other 13 members of the Security Council later in the month. Ukraine's replacement on the Security Council, Poland, abstained in the GA and attended on January 3.

Israel Danny Danon arrived and spoke; a man accompanying him was asked for his ID but it was eventually solved. Inner City Press was the only media in front of the Mission as 7 pm approached, closing hour of the UN Visitors Entrance it is still forced to use for covering UN corruption. So this story will have to be continued.

Previously, UN senior administration officials confirmed to the Press at 5:30 pm on December 5 that President Trump would on December 6 not only recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital but also order the US State Department to act to move its embassy there. After that happened, the US on December 18 vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution that sought to call Trump's decision null and void. A General Assembly meeting was set for today on a similar draft, below, with the same "null and void" language. After speeches, see below, and after Mali and Afghanistan dropped out as sponsors, the resolution passed 128 in favor, nine against and 35 abstaining. Photo here - including countries simply not voting, including DR Congo, Myanmar, CAR, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, El Salvador, Mongolia, Moldovia, Zambia, Timor Leste, Sao Tome, Sierra Leone, Samoa (their UNGA seat was empty), Georgia - and Ukraine, which voted Yes in UNSC. Inner City Press, arriving early, was told by sources that a request by Israel and the US to place replica coins on each desk ran into opposition. Inner City Press asked the Secretariat and PGA spokespeople for comment. Secretariat's Dujarric had or said he had nothing; the PGA's said it was Secretariat's DCACM's branch chief's call. We'll have more on this. Before the more, Nikki Haley spoke, then Danny Danon. Here is InnerCityPro.com's fast summary: Haley: The UN has long been a hostile place for the state of Israel. It’s a wrong that undermines the credibility of this institution, and that in turn is harmful for the entire world. I’ve often wondered why Israel has chosen to remain a member of this body. Israel must stand up for its own survival as a nation. But it also stands for the dieals of freedom and human dignity that the UN is supposed to be about. The US is by far the single largest contributor to the UN and its agencies. We do this in part to advance our values and our interests. We do this because it represents who we are. It is our American way. But when we make generous contributions to the UN, we expect that our goodwill is recognized. When a nation is singled out for attack, that nation is disrespected What’s more, that nation is asked to pay for the privilege of being disrespected. We have an obligation to acknowledge when our political and financial capital is being poorly spent. And if our investment fails, we have an obligation to spend our investment in other way. The decision [to move the embassy] was in accordance with US law dating back to 1995. the decision does not preclude a 2-state solution, if the parties agree. The decision does nothing to harm peace efforts. The decision reflects the will of the American people and our right to choose the location of our embassy. The US will remember this day, on which it was singled out for attack for the very act of exercizing our sovereign right as a nation. American will put our embassy in Jerusalem. No vote in the UN will make any difference. But this vote will make a difference in how Americans look at the UN, and how we look at countries who disrespect us in the UN. And this vote will be remembered. Israel's Danon: Jerusalem is the holiest place on earth for the Jewish people. King David declared Jerusalem the city of the Jewish people 3,000 years ago. The Jewish bible mentions Jerusalem 660 times. Our prayers recall Jerusalem’s holy name over and over again. I am holding an original coin. It’s from 67 AD. It says in Hebrew, “freedom of Zion.” It proves the ancient connection of Jews to Jerusalem. Our connection to Jerusalem is unbreakable. No UNESCO declaration; no empty speeches; no GA resolution will ever drive us from Jerusalem. These are the facts this body does not want to hear. The one-sided steps of the Palestinians and the UN have pushed away peace for years. The UN has perfected its double standard. It’s only when it comes to Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, that this assembly remains in an open session. How many times have our calls for peace been rejected? All of us have lost count. Those who support today’s resolution are like puppets. You are like marionettes forced to dance while the Palestinan administration looks on with glee. This resolution only encourages violence. You permit them to pursue violence in the name of Jerusalem, a city of peace. 42 years ago, this body adopted a different, shameful resolution. It equated Zionism with racism. It took 16 long years for that resolution to be revoked. I have no doubt that today’s resolution will also end up in the trash bin of history." Could the Security Council, much less the non-binding General Assembly, nullify such a bilateral decision? In response, occupation is cited - perhaps even by speaker Morocco, despite Western Sahara. There is much talk at the UN about the Administration saying it will takes names of those who vote against it, with an eye on funding. Of course, speaker Saudi Arabia threatened to cut UN funding if it remained on the UN Children and Armed Conflict annex; countries offer financial support in exchange for various votes in the UN, as for example South Korea did in promoting Ban Ki-moon for Secretary General. (The process continues today). Here, the day before, is the General Assembly's speakers' list: YEMEN (the Ambassador represents Hadi, who is rarely in the country.)    LEBANON (no disassociation problem here.) OMAN, CUBA, STATE OF PALESTINE, SUDAN (recently eager for US approbation); TURKEY (Foreign Minister Mevlüt ÇAVUSOGLU has flown in - will he visit the trial down in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York?)  IRAN (ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF), ECUADOR, MOROCCO (see above), ISRAEL,  LIBYA
VENEZUELA, SAUDI ARABIA (see above),
BAHRAIN,  LIECHTENSTEIN, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, NICARAGUA, IRAQ, PAKISTAN, ALGERIA, INDONESIA, CHINA
MALDIVES, SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC, JORDAN, BANGLADESH; OBSERVERS:  HOLY SEE, SOVEREIGN ORDER OF MALTA. One wonders: why hasn't North Korea signed up to speak on this this? Watch this site. Ambassador Nikki Haley, in a speech in the morning before the veto, zeroed in on the previous administration's absention a year ago, and the "blacklist" being prepared by the UN in Geneva. By March, it would seem, the US may drop out of the UN Human Rights Council. Quitter Prince Zeid could have one last shining moment, with whistleblowers silenced by retaliation and a fawning chorus who ignores the whistleblowers and the sexual abuse they exposed, like Anders Kompass did. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who took no press questions when he spoke on Jerusalem, may try to forestall that, while wildly wasting money, Inner City Press exclusive here. We'll have more on this - and on the December 21 move(s) in the General Assembly, UN hallway Periscope here. The GA draft says, like the one vetoed in the Security Council, that it "
Affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, [sic] 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, and in this regard, calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem, pursuant to resolution 478 (1980) of the Security Council." This summary of Security Council speeches before and after the vote: Egypt (whose state media Akhbar al Yom, being given Inner City Press' long time office, was again not present) - Jerusalem is one of the final status issues that must be settled through negotiation between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Any attempt at changing the facts on the ground in Jerusalem is considered one of the illegal, unilateral measures that will have no legal impact whatsoever, since it comes in violation of international law and the resolutions of international legitimacy. Uruguay complained that there wasn’t time for negotiations on the draft resolution before the vote and said, We reaffirm the special status of Jerusalem as a final status issue. The final status of Jerusalem still has to be resolved. The sovereignty and the limits of Jerusalem have to be agreed by Israel and Palestine through negotiations. Any measure or action that the parties or third state would take to change the status of Jerusalem will affect the peae process and the search for a peaceful solution. After the vote: France: It is incumbent on them [the US] to explain the compatibility of the statement with the peace process. Negative affects on the region caused by the announcement of 6 December.. Senegal: The holy city is a symbol for the three monotheistic religions, which is why we pay tribute to Jordan…We have to preserve the international consensus on the status of Jerusalem. Ethiopia: We believe it is a final status issue that must be resolved between the two parties. The draft resolution reaffirms this long-standing principle by the United Nations, and that’s why we supported it. The latest developments have once again brought the Is-Pal dispute back to the fore. It is important to work towards easing tensions and restoring calm. It is vital that parties tone down their rhetoric. Above all, removing the long-standing obstacles which have hindered progress is imperative. Russia: This makes it more difficult to relaunch peace negotiations. The issue of the city needs to be considered on the basis of a bilateral dialogue, and we cal on all parties to show restraint. This methodology for settlement was approved in many resolutions by the Security Council. We continue hearing that the prospect of the 2 state solution is being diluted. At the same time, we remain committed to the solution which provides for the existence of an independent state of Palestine with a capital in east Jerusalem. Sweden: We regret that the Council was unable to adopt the resolution before us. We have recently outlined the reasons why we disagreed with the US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and the plan to move the US embassy to Jerusalem. Italy: Italy supported the reosluion, as it reaffirms principles already enshrined in several Security Council resolutions. We believe that the status of Jerusalem, as the future capital of two states, needs to be negotiated between Israel and Palestine within the framework of a peace process that will eventually lead to the establishment of two states living side by side in peace and security: Ukraine: The issue of Jerusalem is a final status issue that needs to be resolved through negotiations.We are convinced that there is no viable alternative to the two-state solution. Given the highly sensitive nature of the issue of Jerusallem, we hope that the current escalation can be contained and will not get out of control. China: China voted in favor. The Palestine issue is a root cause issue of the question of peace in the middle east.  Bolivia: The resolution reaffirmed that the definitive status of Jerusalem should be resolved through negotiations. We call on the government of the United States to reconsider its decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and remove its diplomatic representation from that city, because it undermines the possibility of dialogue between the 2 parties and makes it more difficult to reach a solution to that conflict Japan: Japan supports a 2 state solution and believes the final status of Jerusalem should be resolved between the 2 parties... Japan appreciates US President Trump’s support for a 2 state solution and notes that the final status of Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations between Israel and Palestine. We are concerned about possibility of worsening of the environment surrounding the Middle East peace process. The continuing unrest on the ground is worrisome. Peace can be achieved only through negotiations between the parties." Here was the Security Council draft, from Inner City Press: "The Security Council PP1 Reaffirming its relevant resolutions, including resolutions 242 (1967), 252 (1968), 267 (1969), 298 (1971), 338 (1973), 446 (1979), 465 (1980), 476 (1980), 478 (1980), and 2334 (2016), PP2 Guided by the purpose and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirming inter alia, the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, PP3 Bearing in mind the specific status of the Holy City of Jerusalem and, in particular, the need for protection and preservation of the unique spiritual, religious and cultural dimensions of the City, as foreseen in the relevant United Nations resolutions,
PP4 Stressing that Jerusalem is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations in line with relevant United Nations resolutions, PP5 Expressing in this regard its deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem  Affirms that any decisions and actions which purport to have altered, [sic] 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, and in this regard, calls upon all States to refrain from the establishment of diplomatic missions in the Holy City of Jerusalem, pursuant to resolution 478 (1980) of the Security Council; OP2 Demands that all States comply with the Security Council resolutions regarding the Holy City of Jerusalem, and not to recognize any actions or measures contrary to these resolutons; OP3 Reiterates its call for the reversal of the negative trends on the ground that are imperiling the two-State solution and for the intensification and acceleration of international and regional efforts and support aimed at achieving, without delay, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East on the basis of relevant United Nations resolutions, the Madrid terms of reference, including the principle of land for peace, the Arab Peace Initiative and the Quarter Roadmap and an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967; OP5 Decided to remain seized of the matter.” We'll have more on this. Back on December 6 in front of the UN Security Council chamber Ambassador Llorenti Soliz of Council member Bolivia said that if Trump makes the announcement, at 1 pm, he will ask for an open Security Council meeting. Inner City Press Periscope video here. When the meeting happened on December 8, all 15 members spoke, then Israel, Palestine and Jordan; then two stakeouts at which no questions were taken. Palestine's Mansour spoke of the need for Security Council action, but obviously the US could and would block such action. So here's fragments of what was said, highlighted by Uruguay quoting John Lennon:

Sweden's Olof Skoog: We requested this meeting, along with 7 others due to the repurcussions of the statement made by US president. We clearly disagree with the capital of Israel as Jerusalem and the move of the embassy. It contradicts international law; Jerusalem is a final status issue. Corpus separatum. Resolution 478 Council said making Jerusalem the capital was a violation of international law. All states up to now abided by the Council’s law. Last year 2334 Council will not recognize any changes to the pre-1967 lines, including Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a holy city to the 3 Abrahamic religions. We need respect and tolerance to prevail. We should not forget the strong ties to Jerusalem of both Israelis and Palestinians, and that 40 percent of the inhabitants of Jerusalem are Palestinians. There is no alternative to the 2 state solution. And there is no Plan B. [Guterres says that all the time, just as Ban Ki-moon did. It must be in the water at the UN.

Egypt: We are confronted with a test of the rule of law. Our effort will not be crowned with success unless we work together within the framework of international law. Resolution 2334 reaffirmed that the SC does not recognize any alteration to the pre-1967 lines, including Jerusalem. Resolution 478 called for the withdrawal of all diplomatic missions from Jerusalem. Egypt denounces the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the state of Israel and to move its embassy to Israel. We’d also like to stress that such unilateral decisions is a violation of international legitimacy and thus it has no legal impact on the status of Jerusalem, since it is a city under occupation.

 UK (outgoing Matthew Rycroft) - We are deeply concerned by continued developments on the ground that undermine the prospects for the 2-state solution. We will continue to press the parties to refrain from actions which make a viable peace difficult to achieve. I reaffirm our strong support for renewed peace negotiations. We strongly encourage the US administration to bring forward detailed proposals for an Israeli Palestinian resolution…we call on all parties to maintain calm and work together in a spirir of commitment to this common enterprise.

France's Delattre: The status of Jerusalem must be determined by the parties, purusan to the consensus that has prevailed. France recognizes no sovereignty over Jerusalem... All UN member states who established diplomatic missions in Jerusalem must withdraw them. 2334 was a reminder that no modification of the pre-1967 borders will be acknowledged by the international community, including modification to Jerusalem. Without an agreement on Jerusalem, there cannot be any peace agreement. Given its gravity, its central position in the ME, its critical significance and its role in the collective imagination, the Israel-Palestinian conflict and particularly Jerusalm is largely galvanizing…it is crucial not to give any pretext for any extremist acts in the region. There is no 2 state solution without an agreement, among the parties, on Jerusalem…we hope to bring the US back into the fold of the international consensus… We seek to speak truth by calling upon them to return to the negotiation table. There is no short cut in the path to peace…at stake is respect for international law…at stake is the conservation of the 2 state solution.

Bolivia (the requester, but not staker-out) - Bolivia indicates clearly, and unequivocally, what its position is. Not only is this against international law, this decision is extremely damaging…this will impact not only Israeli and Palestinians.

Uruguay (including John Lennon) - These are holy sites; yesterday a communiqué was issued by my government affirming our support to resolution 181 establishing a Jewish state with Jerusalem as corpus separatum... It’s been 30 years since John Lennon was assassinated. One of his most famous songs was Imagine, imagining a world where men could live in peace. John Lennon was a dreamer, but he’s not the only one. Italy (outgoing Cardi) -  Our position remains unchanged…we believee that the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of 2 states needs to be negotiated between Israel and Jerusalem. …until that moment, Italy will maintain its capital in Tel Aviv. Italy reiterates its commitment to working to the aim [of a 2 state solution] and contributing to the resumption of a meaningful peace.

US Nikki Haley: The Jewish people are patient….but Americans are less patient. For 22 years Americans have waited, and waited. This week Trump finally made the decison to no longer deny the will of the American people. The US recognizes the obvious that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. The US has not taken a position on boundaries or border. Speicifics about sovereignty over Jerusalem are still to be decided by Palestine and Israel…. The US is not pre determining final status issues. We support a 2 state solution, of agreed to by the parties. Israel, like all nations, has the right to determine its capital city. Jerusalem is the home of Israels parliament, prime minister, supreme court. It is simple common sense that foreign embassies be located in it…the US took this step in full knowledge that it will raise questions and concerns…peace is advanced, not set back, when all parties are honest with each other. Change is hard. But we should never doubt what the truth can do. When we face the truth, believe in the human spirit and encourage each other, peace can prevail. Over many years, the UN has outrageously been the world’s foremost center of opposition to Israel. The US no longer stands by when Israel is unfairly attacked at the UN. And the US will not be lectured to by any country…Israel will never be bullied into an agreement by the UN, or by any countries that have proven their disregard to the UN. This conflict is not just about the past. It must be about future generations. Palestinian and Israeli children both deserve a future of peace. When those children are grown, they should look back to the time when all parties negotiated for peace. Peace remains achievable. We must all do our part.

China: China is highly concerned at the recent developments regarding the status of Jerusalem. Any action of unilaterally changing the current status of Jerusalem will trigger confrontations and conflict in the region. Bear in mind the overall interest of peace and security in the region…China has always firmly supported and promoted the peace process in the middle east. The 2 state solution is the right way for the political settlement of the question of Palestine. Ethiopia:We are very concerned by the latest development surrounding Jerusale, because …it is bound to cause damage and undermine the hope for peace. Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations by the two parties. There is only one viable option, and that is the two state solution: two states living side by side in peace and security.

Kazakhstan: There is a unity among member states of the security council; any unilateral action to change the status quo is the cause of great concern. Kazakhstan’s position remains unchanged: maintain the status quo.

 Russia's Nebenzia: Washington’s decision was greeted with criticism by the Palestinians and the Arab and Muslim world. Palestinian factions making up the PLO and Hamas called for strikes and protest marches. In Moscow, the decision was greeted with serious concern. We are of the view that a fair and reliable settlement should be reached on the basis of international law, including the resolutions of the SC and the GA. We are worried that the new position announced by the US risks complicating the situation in Palestinian-Israeli relations and in the region on the whole. East Jerusalem would become the future capital of Palestine and West Jerusalem would become the capital of Jerusalem. We confirm our firm position that there is no alternative to a 2-state solution. Efforts to achieve this goal are worthy of support. We reiterate our proposal to hold a summit between the leaders of Palestine and Israel. We’ve already asked the Americans for an explanation of how they see the consequences of their step…we have drawn attention to the fears…that this might undermine negotiations on a 2 state solution. All of this was reflected in the decisions of the UNGA and UNSC.

 Japan, Bessho: The SC has closely followed the Palestinian issue in its monthly meetings. Japan’s position remains unchanged: Japan supports a 2 state solution. The final status of Jerusalem is a part of a range of issues that should be resolved on the basis of negotiations. Trump reiterated his support for a 2 state solution. Japan also notes the importance of the president’s acknowledgment that the final status and boundaries must be negotiated between the 2 parties…Japan is concerned that the announcement will lead to a worsening of the environment around the peace process. Japan has consistently reiterated this position. Japan is deeply worried about heightening tension on the ground. At such times, violence can easily snowball. Japan calls upon the parties to maintain calm and act in the interest of peace, not violence. We have seen various initiatives and proposals to bring both sides closer and japan calls on both Israelis and Palestinians to sincerely engage. We are committed to working with our partners to uphold a two state solution in which Israel and the future Palestinian state live side by side.

Palestine Mansour: Those who call for the US to withdraw is illegal, irresponsible, provocative decision that has no meaning except pleasing the illegal occupier, Israel: I would like to thank the 14 members of this Council for their principled positions on Jerusalem. We urge the Council to act quickly in light of the violations against Jerusalem’s legal status. The extremely regrettable announcement by US president Donald Trump declaring Jerusalem the capital of Israel and the decision to move its capital…the situation we face today has been blatantly instigated by an occupying power, rather than abiding by the UNSC’s resolutions. We have often lamented this impunity, but no often enough…the resounding rejections of this decision by world leaders is indicative of the immense concerns…we are grateful of the strong, principled positions expressed. The status of Jerusalem cannot be unilaterally altered by any state.  Jerusalem’s significance to Palestinian people, Muslims and Christians, cannot be over-stated. There can be no just and lasting solution to the Palestine question without a just solution to the question of Jerusalem. We call again on the United States to rescind this decision and rectify this matter.

 Israel, Danny Danon: This marks a milestone for Israel, for peace, and for the world. Jerusalem has, and always will be, the capital of Israel, and the embassy of the US belongs in Jerusalem. I thank President Trump, VP Pence, Amb Haley, and the American people. 3000 years ago King David declared Jerusalem the capital of the Jewish people.  Nearly 70 years ago this week, shortly after Israel declared independence, Ben Gurion said “Jerusalem is an integral part of Israel and the historical capital. No UN vote can alter that fact.” President Trump’s decision was so important. The US has the moral courage to right these historic wrongs. Middle Eastern capitals are not known for tolerance. They are not known for freedom of religion. But not in Israel. In Jerusalem all people practice their religions freely. We pledge to safeguard the holy places of all religions… Every member of this council must send a clear message there is never an excuse for violence. Violence must never be used as a threat. Join with our American friends. Move your embassies to Israel." By contrast, this was the request: "In light of the statement today by the President of the United States regarding the status of Jerusalem, the delegations of Bolivia, Egypt, France, Italy, Senegal, Sweden, the UK, and Uruguay kindly request the Presidency to organize an emergency meeting of the Council, with a briefing by the Secretary-General, to be held in the Chamber before the end of this week. On behalf of the delegations of Bolivia, Egypt, France, Italy, Senegal, Sweden, the UK, and Uruguay." The meeting has been set for December 8, in the late morning. But Antonio Guterres, who canceled the UN noon briefing on December 6 for his question-less stakeout on the topic, will NOT be the briefer. Inner City Press on December 7 asked Guterres' Deputy Spokesman Farhaq Haq why, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: on Jerusalem, I wanted to ask you, because a number of ambassadors were saying that they were hoping that the Secretary-General would be the briefer.  Is there some reason that it's Mr. Mladenov  and not António Guterres? Deputy Spokesman:  We feel it's best at this particular point in time for Mr. Mladenov, as the lead expert on the ground, to provide the details." We'll have more on this. Egypt was among the requesters - but Egyptian state media Akhbar al Yom to which UN DPI under Alison Smale has purported to give Inner City Press' long time office wasn't present on December 5, 6 or 7, as Smale was informed, and hasn't asked a single question in two years. After Trump spoke, Jordan's State Minister for Media Affairs Mohammad al-Momani, said that "'this recognition is legally invalid as it enshrines the Israeli occupation of the eastern part of the city, which was occupied by Israel in June 1967,' the minister said, pointing out that the UN Security Council resolution No. 478 doesn't recognize the Israeli Basic Law on Jerusalem and calls on countries that have established embassies in Jerusalem to close them. He added that all of Israel's actions in Jerusalem, which aim at changing its character and legal status, including its declaration as its capital, are null and void, as confirmed by relevant UN Security Council resolutions, in particular resolutions No. 465, 476 and 478. He indicated that the Kingdom and Turkey had agreed to hold an OIC summit and foreign ministers' meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday to discuss the issue." Earlier at the stakeout they started setting up for a belated media availability by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, less than an hour after he excluded the Press from a ceremony always Open Press in the past, amid the multiple scandals already surrounding his administration. Then just before noon they canceled the UN's daily noon press briefing on all other topics, from North Korea to Yemen to Cameroon, in order to promote Guterres' stakeout at 1:30 pm.  But when Guterres and his entourage - minus Katrin Hett in North Korea and Alison Smale God knows where -- showed up, Spokesman Dujarric said, "No questions." This is a new low. Here's Guterres' statement: "From day one as Secretary-General of the United Nations, I have consistently spoken out against any unilateral measures that would jeopardize the prospect of peace for Israelis and Palestinians. Jerusalem is a final status issue that must be resolved through direct negotiations between the two parties on the basis of the relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions, taking into account the legitimate concerns of both the Palestinian and the Israeli sides. I understand the deep attachment that Jerusalem holds in the hearts of so many people. It has been so for centuries and it will always be. In this moment of great anxiety, I want to make it clear : there is no alternative to the two-state solution. There is no Plan B. It is only by realizing the vision of two states living side-by-side in peace, security and mutual recognition, with Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and Palestine, and all final status issues resolved permanently through negotiations, that the legitimate aspirations of both peoples will be achieved.  For my part as the United Nations Secretary-General, I will do everything in my power to support the Israeli and Palestinian leaders to return to meaningful negotiations and to realize this vision of a lasting peace for both people." From the UN's December 5 noon briefing, by Guterres' holdover spokesman Stephane Dujarric: "on Jerusalem, I mean, like you we have seen the press reports.  I'm not aware of any direct communication between the US and the Secretariat on this particular issue here in New York.  We obviously await to see an official announcement." We'll see what happens on December 6, after Guterres swears in his censor in chief Alison Smale, who has upheld without even attempting to defend the nearly two year restrictions on the investigative Press which most aggressively covers the UN, in favor of n0 show, no question Egypt state media Akhbar al Yom. The UN is not only corrupt but also disgusting. Back on March 22 when Palestine's Permanent Observer Riyad Mansour came to the UN Security Council stakeout after a meeting with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, he said it was a good meeting but that it remains unclear if Guterres' report on Israeli settlements on March 24 will be in writing or merely oral. On the choreographed withdrawal of the ESCWA report on the topic, a question was not answered, but Mansour said he was going to meet the Security Council president but the press could wait for a read-out in an hour. Periscope video here. Some media were blocked from following Mansour down the second floor hallway and complained; for more than a year, following trying to cover the UN Ng Lap Seng bribery scandal in the UN Press Briefing Room, Inner City Press has been banned from that second floor hall, following or not. This remains the case in December 2017...

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