The United States has vetoed a call by the United Nations Security Council for Donald Trump’s decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital to be withdrawn.

On Monday, all the members of the Security Council bar the US, including Britain, voted in favour of an Egyptian resolution expressing “deep regret at recent decisions concerning the status of Jerusalem”.

The US responded by exercising its veto, the first time it has done so in more than six years.

Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the UN, described the Security Council's vote as “an insult” which would not be forgotten.

Earlier this month, President Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, and said the US would move its embassy to the city.

The decision provoked anger from Palestinians and sparked clashes in the West Bank and Gaza.

On Twitter, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked President Trump for the veto.

Thank you, Ambassador Haley. On Hanukkah, you spoke like a Maccabi. You lit a candle of truth. You dispel the darkness. One defeated the many. Truth defeated lies. Thank you, President Trump. Thank you, Nikki Haley. pic.twitter.com/zFIiStoait

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) December 18, 2017

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said the Palestinians would seek an emergency special session of the UN General Assembly to discuss the US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.