The United States has vetoed a UN resolution that would have required President Donald Trump to rescind his declaration of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The Egyptian-sponsored Security Council resolution was approved by the 14 other Security Council members, a reflection of the depth of global opposition to Trump's action. Trump shattered decades of unwavering U.S. neutrality on Jerusalem on Dec. 6 when he declared that the United States recognizes the divided holy city as Israel's capital and will move its embassy there. The status of Jerusalem has been a central issue in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, Abbas said after the vote he will no longer accept the U.S. as a Mideast mediator, using some of his harshest rhetoric since Trump's declaration.

Source: CBC News December 18, 2017 18:00 UTC