Following its historic defeat at the UN General Assembly, Israel began searching for ways to rally support on the global stage after 128 countries voted against U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last month.
A decision has been taken by the Israeli foreign ministry to shell out money to the 35 countries that abstained from voting during the UN General Assembly session on Jerusalem.
Mindful of pursuing its own interests as it attempts to bribe in return for support, the Israeli administration will use its financial prowess to influence developing countries across the world.
In the coming days, 50 developing countries are set to receive $50 million in order to start an aid fund, according to a plan laid out by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This move signals an attempt by Israel to rally support in the UN on the one hand, and points to an effort to carry out intense diplomatic offensive in 2018 with regards to Jerusalem.
The small island of Nauru, who voted for Trump’s Jerusalem move at the UN, had received a $72,000 bribe from Israel two weeks before the UN General Assembly session.
The Tenders Committee at the Israeli foreign ministry approved the purchase of the sewage treatment plant for the small island nation at a cost of $72,000 without a tender.
After news of the bribe surfaced, rumors began to swirl about whether the same ploy was used to buy the vote of the other eight developing countries who voted in support of Israel and the U.S. at the UN.
On Dec. 6, Trump announced his decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, sparking angry demonstrations in many Muslim countries and worldwide condemnation.
The matter was then brought to the UN General Assembly at a rare emergency special session and a resolution was adopted which rejected and condemned Trump’s decision.
A total of 128 members voted in favor of the resolution, nine countries voted against and 35 others abstained.
Jerusalem remains at the heart of the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Palestinians hoping that East Jerusalem -- now occupied by Israel -- might eventually serve as the capital of a future Palestinian state.
