UNITED NATIONS, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The United States and Israel on Thursday became the only two countries that voted against a political declaration on urban development that enjoyed almost universal support.
The General Assembly draft resolution adopting the Political Declaration to Renew Commitment and Accelerate the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda was passed with 148 votes in favor, 2 against and 0 abstentions. The United States and Israel were the only two countries to vote against it.
In an explanation of vote before the vote, the U.S. representative took issue with paragraph 42 of the political declaration, which reads: "We strongly urge States to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures not in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations that impede the full achievement of economic and social development, particularly in developing countries."
The U.S. representative argued that sanctions are "a vital, legitimate tool of foreign policy and national security."
The U.S. representative also rejected text in the declaration that demands "concessional and non-debt-creating finance" from international financial institutions and donor nations, as well as technology transfers to developing countries.
The U.S. representative also took issue with "the extensive and deeply flawed references to climate change woven throughout this document" and "the repeated ideological insertion of the term gender and concepts like gender-responsive frameworks into what should be a practical text on municipal planning and housing."
In her explanation of vote before the vote, the Israeli representative said Israel would not support "certain politicized elements" in the text.
She said Israel disassociates itself from paragraph 7 of the declaration, which reads: "We acknowledge that in implementing the New Urban Agenda, particular attention should be given to addressing the unique and emerging urban development challenges facing all countries. ... Special attention should also be given to countries in situations of conflict, as well as countries and territories under foreign occupation, post-conflict countries and countries affected by natural and human-made disasters." ■
