NEW YORK Dec 26 (TNS): In the wake of a resolution of the United Nations opposing US President Donald Trump’s move to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, the US government has slashed the UN budget.
The U.S Mission to the United Nations said on Sunday that the UN’s budget for 2018-2019 would be slashed by over $285 million. The mission said reductions would also be made to the UN’s management and support functions.
US ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley said that the “inefficiency and overspending” of the organization is well-known, and she would not let “the generosity of the American people be taken advantage of.”
She also said that while the mission was pleased with the results of budget negotiations, it would continue to “look at ways to increase the U.N.’s efficiency? while protecting our interests.”
Haley’s announcement came just days after she slammed the UN for singling out the United States and voting on a resolution to oppose Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Last week, the UN General Assembly adopted by a decisive vote of 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions, a motion rejecting the US decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Trump had warned ahead of the vote in the 193-nation assembly that “we’re watching” and threatened reprisals against countries backing the measure, which reaffirms that the status of Jerusalem must be resolved through negotiations.
“The United States will remember this day,” Haley had told the assembly. “America will put its embassy in Jerusalem,” she said. “No vote in the United Nations will make any difference on that.”
“But 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,” she said.
“When we make generous contributions to the UN we also have a legitimate expectation that our goodwill is recognized and respected.”
