JERUSALEM, Dec. 21 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the United Nations as the "house of lies" ahead of a UN vote on Thursday against the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
"The State of Israel flatly rejects this vote even before it is held," the Israeli leader said. "Jerusalem is our capital. We will continue to build in it and foreign embassies, led by the U.S. embassy, will move to Jerusalem. It will happen."
He also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened Wednesday to cut aid to countries that will vote in favor of the UN resolution.
The UN General Assembly is set to vote on a resolution on Thursday, calling the United States to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Trump's announcement on Jerusalem's status on Dec. 6 triggered violent clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza Strip as well as widespread international protests.
Israel seized East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it shortly later, a move which was not recognized by the international community.
