UN General Assembly votes in favor of ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, overcoming US veto

The United Nations General Assembly demanded an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in a massive vote Tuesday that underlined much of the desire of the world to end this bloody conflict. About three-quarters of the body's members voted in favor of the non-binding resolution, highlighting the isolation Israel and the United States, who blocked a Security Council ceasefire resolution last week.
Resounding applause and cheers broke out after the vote was announced: 153 for, 10 against and 23 abstentions. The resolution required a two-thirds majority to pass.
“How many thousands more lives must be lost before we do something? Dennis Francis, a Trinidad and Tobago diplomat currently president of the General Assembly, said in a speech to the chamber before the vote. “There is no time left. The carnage must stop. »
The resolution was presented by the UN Arab Group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which represents Arab and Muslim countries. Despite their support for the non-binding resolution, none of the 57 members of the Muslim organization offered Gazans refugee status in their country.
More than 15 000 people, including many women. and children, have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities, since Israel declared war on Hamas after the militant group launched a terrorist attack on October 7, killing more than 1,200 people and taking another 240 as hostages.
General Assembly resolutions are never legally binding, but they carry political weight and are a symbolic reflection of the broader perspective among the 193 UN members.
Countries that joined the United States and Israel in rejecting the ceasefire resolution on Tuesday were Austria, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Liberia, Micronesia, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea and Nauru. Countries that abstained included Britain, Hungary, South Sudan and Germany.
Israel's ambassador to the UN Secretary General Gilad Erdan sharply criticized the UN and said the adoption of the resolution made the institution less relevant. He said calls for a ceasefire were aimed at "tying Israel's hands and continuing Hamas' reign of terror."
The Assembly convened emergency session after Friday's U.S. veto of a binding Security Council resolution in favor of a ceasefire, saying a halt to fighting would allow Hamas to regroup and planning more terrorist attacks similar to the devastating assault on Israel he carried out from Gaza on October 7. ="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Pressure to end the bloodshed has increased as the war between Israel and Hamas has bruised civilians in Gaza. Top UN leaders and aid agencies have said a ceasefire is the only viable way to ease the suffering of Gaza's 2.2 million residents.
 Vast swaths of homes and infrastructure have been destroyed, more than 85 percent of the population is displaced, hunger is widespread and diseases are now endemic, according to the World Organization Health.
President Biden has long pledged that the United States would continue to support Israel's quest to eradicate Hamas, but earlier Tuesday he It appeared that a rift had opened between Mr. Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what would happen after the war.
Mr. Biden, speaking at a fundraiser, warned Mr Netanyahu that his country was losing international support, citing “the indiscriminate bombing that is taking place”. Hours earlier, Mr Netanyahu rejected a US-backed plan for the Palestinian Authority, which administers part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, to play a role in rebuilding Gaza.

The resolution adopted Tuesday declares that Gaza faces a "catastrophic humanitarian" situation, emphasizes that Palestinian and Israeli civilians must be protected by international humanitarian laws and demands that all parties respect these laws.
The resolution also calls for the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza and humanitarian access to the enclave. But he stopped short of condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7.
The United States and Austria proposed amendments to the resolution to condemn Hamas terrorist attacks, but they failed to gain the required support. two-thirds majority. Some who oppose...

World Dec 13, 2023 0 15 Add to Reading List

UN General Assembly votes in favor of ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, overcoming US veto

The United Nations General Assembly demanded an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in a massive vote Tuesday that underlined much of the desire of the world to end this bloody conflict. About three-quarters of the body's members voted in favor of the non-binding resolution, highlighting the isolation Israel and the United States, who blocked a Security Council ceasefire resolution last week.

Resounding applause and cheers broke out after the vote was announced: 153 for, 10 against and 23 abstentions. The resolution required a two-thirds majority to pass.

“How many thousands more lives must be lost before we do something? Dennis Francis, a Trinidad and Tobago diplomat currently president of the General Assembly, said in a speech to the chamber before the vote. “There is no time left. The carnage must stop. »

The resolution was presented by the UN Arab Group and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which represents Arab and Muslim countries. Despite their support for the non-binding resolution, none of the 57 members of the Muslim organization offered Gazans refugee status in their country.

More than 15 000 people, including many women. and children, have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities, since Israel declared war on Hamas after the militant group launched a terrorist attack on October 7, killing more than 1,200 people and taking another 240 as hostages.

General Assembly resolutions are never legally binding, but they carry political weight and are a symbolic reflection of the broader perspective among the 193 UN members.

Countries that joined the United States and Israel in rejecting the ceasefire resolution on Tuesday were Austria, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, Liberia, Micronesia, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea and Nauru. Countries that abstained included Britain, Hungary, South Sudan and Germany.

Israel's ambassador to the UN Secretary General Gilad Erdan sharply criticized the UN and said the adoption of the resolution made the institution less relevant. He said calls for a ceasefire were aimed at "tying Israel's hands and continuing Hamas' reign of terror."

The Assembly convened emergency session after Friday's U.S. veto of a binding Security Council resolution in favor of a ceasefire, saying a halt to fighting would allow Hamas to regroup and planning more terrorist attacks similar to the devastating assault on Israel he carried out from Gaza on October 7. ="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">Pressure to end the bloodshed has increased as the war between Israel and Hamas has bruised civilians in Gaza. Top UN leaders and aid agencies have said a ceasefire is the only viable way to ease the suffering of Gaza's 2.2 million residents.

Vast swaths of homes and infrastructure have been destroyed, more than 85 percent of the population is displaced, hunger is widespread and diseases are now endemic, according to the World Organization Health.

President Biden has long pledged that the United States would continue to support Israel's quest to eradicate Hamas, but earlier Tuesday he It appeared that a rift had opened between Mr. Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over what would happen after the war.

Mr. Biden, speaking at a fundraiser, warned Mr Netanyahu that his country was losing international support, citing “the indiscriminate bombing that is taking place”. Hours earlier, Mr Netanyahu rejected a US-backed plan for the Palestinian Authority, which administers part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, to play a role in rebuilding Gaza.

The resolution adopted Tuesday declares that Gaza faces a "catastrophic humanitarian" situation, emphasizes that Palestinian and Israeli civilians must be protected by international humanitarian laws and demands that all parties respect these laws.

The resolution also calls for the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza and humanitarian access to the enclave. But he stopped short of condemning the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7.

The United States and Austria proposed amendments to the resolution to condemn Hamas terrorist attacks, but they failed to gain the required support. two-thirds majority. Some who oppose...