Shabbat Shalom! Nikki Haley Speaks to the UN + Results of UN Vote Condemning U.S. Necklace Contest!22nd December 2017

SHABBAT SHALOM!

Shabbat Shalom

NECKLACE CONTEST!

This week’s contest is to win this hamsa necklace by Kathy Lo Rocks. A random winner will be chosen next Friday, 12/29/17. The hamsa is a Middle Eastern amulet symbolizing the Hand of God. In all faiths it is a protective sign and brings happiness, luck, health and good fortune.

Just reply to this email and answer this question:

What was your best Hanukkah gift ever?

RESULTS OF U.N. RESOLUTION CONDEMNING U.S. DECISION TO RECOGNIZE JERUSALEM AS CAPITAL OF ISRAEL

On December 6, 2017, the U.S. recognized the holy city as Israel’s capital with plans to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

On December 21, 2017, by a vote of 128-9, the General Assembly of the United Nations voted to approve a resolution that rejects the United Stated decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This follows a vote of 14-1 on Monday, December 18, 2017 by the Security Council condemning this move.

U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley told the General Assembly on Thursday:

“To its shame, the United Nations 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, in the face of such hostility, Israel has chosen to remain a member of this body. And then I remember that Israel has chosen to remain in this institution because it’s important to stand up for yourself.

The United States will remember this day in which it was singled out for attack in the General Assembly for the very act of exercising our right as a sovereign nation.

We will remember it when we are called upon to once again make the world’s largest contribution to the United Nations. And we will remember it when so many countries come calling on us, as they so often do, to pay even more and to use our influence for their benefit.

We’ll be honest with you: When we make generous contributions to the U.N., we also have a legitimate expectation that our goodwill is recognized and respected. When a nation is singled out for attack in this organization, that nation is disrespected. What’s more, that nation is asked to pay for the privilege of being disrespected. In the case of the United States, we are asked to pay more than anyone else for that dubious privilege.

Unlike in some U.N. member countries, the United States government is answerable to its people. As such, we have an obligation to acknowledge when our political and financial capital is being poorly spent. We have an obligation to demand more for our investment. And if our investment fails, we have an obligation to spend our resources in more productive ways.”

Below are the results of the vote. Click here or click the image to see an enlargement.

The 9 countries that vetoed this resolution are: Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Togo, United States.

The 35 countries that abstained are: Antigua-Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji, Haiti, Hungary, Jamaica, Kiribati, Latvia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Rwanda, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Trinidad-Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu

The 128 countries that voted in favor of this resolution are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Chad, Chile, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea (South Korea), Russia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

To my friends who read this newsletter and celebrate Christmas, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

If your kids are home from school next week, have a great week with them!

For all who are traveling or staying home and relaxing, ENJOY!

Merry xmas