The UN General Assembly has backed a resolution calling on the US to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
The non-binding resolution was approved by 128 states, with 35 abstaining and nine others voting against.
The nine who voted against the resolution were the United States, Israel, Guatemala, Honduras, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau and Togo.
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Guatemala
Population: 16.5 million
The largest country that supported the United States and Israel in the UN vote
The first visit by Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales outside the Americas was in Israel last year.
Morales is considered the funniest president in the world – he is a local comedian who had a television series called “Morales” in which he and his brother Sammy emulate many characters.
His victory in the elections came as a result of a public protest vote and a vote of no-confidence in the political system, which is considered corrupt and rotten. The conservative Morales led a war on corruption and gained popularity.
The nationalist president supports the imposition of the death penalty and opposes abortion. He considered a strong friend of Israel. During his visit to Israel, the Hebrew University awarded him an honorary doctorate on the occasion of the state’s role in the UN resolution on November 29. “I salute the people of Israel,” he said before the visit.
Honduras
Population: 9 million
“As long as I am president, Honduras will stand by Israel,” declared Juan Orlando Hernandez – and at least for now he is still president. barely. In the past month, there has been a violent protest in the Central American country following an election scandal.
Hernandez opposition candidate, a Palestinian descent Salvador Nasrallah, led after counting the majority of polling stations. But then, the updates were discontinued.
After days of uncertainty, official results were given last week, according to which Hernandez is the winner.
In 1992, Hernandez studied at the International School for Leadership of the Histadrut, and he is a graduate of the MASHAV (Center for International Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) course, the first to be elected as a country leader, and he has visited Israel several times. Honduras’s honorary consul in Israel is the singer Yehoram Gaon.
Honduras stood alongside Israel and the United States.
Togo
Population: 8 million
Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe has visited Israel several times and asked to host the first Israeli-African summit, but the summit scheduled for October was postponed due to pressure from Arab countries.
Gnassingbe, who suffered a heart attack on the way to one of his visits to Israel, said on another visit: “We can not give up such a wonderful friendship with a country that has succeeded in thriving in such a hostile environment.” Gnassingbe attended the funeral of Shimon Peres, a month after another visit to Israel, during which Netanyahu said to him: “You were consistently friendly to us, you stand for Israel and the truth time after time.”
Nauru
Population: 9,700
The smallest island country in the world both in terms of population and in terms of territory also leads the world in a less desirable category – the world’s fattest country. No less than 93% of the islanders are overweight. The rate of people with extreme obesity is 71%. In addition, 40% of Pacific Islanders have type 2 diabetes.
In June of this year, Nauru’s President visited Israel and met with Netanyahu. Nauru’s honorary consulate living in the tiny city Rosh Ha’ayin.
Marshall Islands
Population: 75,000
In 1987, a year after it was founded, the Marshall Islands established diplomatic relations with Israel. Five years ago Marshall Islands was one of the only eight countries to vote alongside Israel and opposed recognition of Palestine as a UN observer.
The Honorary Consul of the Marshall Islands in Israel, Ran Rahav, said at the time: “The Marshall Islands proved once again that it is Israel’s friend in crisis and every fateful vote.”
In 2005 Marshall Islands President visited Israel and said he was proud to support it in the face of terrorist attacks against it.
Micronesia
Population: 105,000
Perhaps the most recognized island state known for supporting Israel. Both ambassadors of Micronesia to the United States and to Israel explained in the past: “Israel was one of the first countries to welcome us – extend our hand and greet us to the world community even before we joined the UN and before we became an independent state.”
In a series of important votes, Micronesia sided with Israel, including the 2012 vote on Palestine as an observer state, the recognition of the right of the Palestinians to an independent state in 2004, and the vote to demand a halt to the construction of the fence. On a visit to Israel two years ago, the island’s president, Emanuel “Manny” Mori, promised: “We will not be part of the hypocrisy chorus, we will always support you.”
As part of the Israeli aid, in 1999 the soccer coach Shimon Shenhar was sent to train the Micronesia team.
Palau
Population: 22,000
Israel was the first country outside the Pacific to announce diplomatic relations with Palau after its declaration of independence in 1994 – and since then the relationship has been particularly warm. In 2006, Palau’s president visited Israel and met then-Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and then-President Moshe Katsav.
“We are the best friends and we are here to reiterate our friendship,” said the president of the tiny island state, and planted a tree in the Jerusalem Forest of the Presidents. Palau receives agricultural assistance from Israel and is also sent to fishing experts.
