Indians fume over Jerusalem vote

BJP MP calls decision to vote against Trump's Jerusalem move at UNGA 'huge mistake'

In one of the more surprising ballots cast at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Thursday, India joined 127 countries in opposing US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Social media, particularly Twitter, was abuzz with reactions to the UNGA vote, with India's vote polarising opinion in the subcontinent.

A member of parliament of the ruling Bhartya Janta Party (BJP), Subramaniam Swamy called the decision a 'huge mistake'.

India has made a huge mistake by not voting with US and Israel on US decision to choose West Jerusalem as location for its Embassy. At present UN holds holy city of Jews as partitioned. West Jerusalem is Israel's. Hence Embassy can be there

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) December 22, 2017

The decision obviously hit a nerve with some.

UNGA: It’s a shame that India voted against the US decision to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This is like backstabbing Israel, our truest friend. The least we could do is abstain from voting for or voting against.

We didn’t vote for such a spineless Govt.

— Sonam Mahajan (@AsYouNotWish) December 21, 2017

Some even went as far as to call India's vote a 'betrayal'.

Israel supported India:

-During Kargil
-On Kashmir In UN
-Intelligence sharing/ against Pak
-Lobbying for India in US

India betrayed Israel:

- voted against the creation of Israel in the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
-voted against Jerusalem as Israel's Capital

— The Blitz (@xBlitz007) December 21, 2017

Quite a few even wondered why India didn't take the safe route.

https://twitter.com/GappistanRadio/status/943897252904427520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Findia%2Findias-made-a-huge-mistake-in-voting-against-us-on-jerusalem-says-bjps-subramanian-swamy%2Farticleshow%2F62206481.cms

 

Obviously, there was no dearth of those vilifying the decision.

It’s a monumental shame that India voted against US and Israel on the question of Jerusalem at the UN today. It’s time to back two or three state solution without feeling ashamed to stand by our friend and ally Israel.

— Aarti Tikoo Singh (@AartiTikoo) December 21, 2017

Many were still trying to make sense of the decision.

India votes 'yes' on the Jerusalem resolution. But I'm more surprised and intrigued that the UK did too. pic.twitter.com/LDNrvJk8gD

— Dhruva Jaishankar · ध्रुव जयशंकर (@d_jaishankar) December 21, 2017

It surely added to India's popularity in Pakistan, even if for a short time.

A rare moment of South Asian solidarity - India Pakistan and Bangladesh vote against the Jerusalem move in the UN. Gandhi, Jinnah and Mujib would be proud. Well done.

— Yasser Latif Hamdani (@theRealYLH) December 22, 2017