America squashes United Nations Security Council attempt to null Jerusalem decision

The United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council vote Monday that would have voided the Trump administration's decision earlier this month to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, The Associated Press reports. Fourteen other council members voted in approval of the resolution, making the final tally 14-1.

The resolution, sponsored by Egypt, was expected to be vetoed but it was also intended to demonstrate international disapproval of America's controversial decision. U.N. Middle East peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov weighed in ahead of the vote, Reuters reports, saying: "In the wake of the decision of the United States ... the situation has become more tense with an increase in incidents, notably rockets fired from Gaza and clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces."

Nikki Haley, America's ambassador to the U.N., said that being forced into the veto by the other members was "an insult. It won't be forgotten." Monday marked the first time the U.S. had used its veto power in the Security Council in more than six years.

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"The United States has a sovereign right to determine where and whether we establish an embassy," Haley added. "I suspect very few member states would welcome Security Council pronouncements about their sovereign decisions."