US Isolated, UN General Assembly Vote Demands Ceasefire in Gaza
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Salma Hossein
- . December 13, 2023
- . Update: December 14, 2023 2:01 pm
The US for the first time found itself isolated at the United Nations as member countries voted at the General Assembly calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The UN announced the emergency vote as 153 member states out of the total 193 members supported the resolution.
Tuesday’s resolution called for all parties to comply with the international law and for humanitarian access to hostages, as well as their immediate and unconditional release. The latest resolution contains stronger language than what was stated in the October vote that had called for a sustained humanitarian truce in the UNGA.
It expressed grave concern over the catastrophe humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population. The resolution called for protection for both Israeli and Palestinian civilians under international law and demanded the immediate release of all hostages.
More than 18,000 people have been killed in Gaza since fighting broke out.
UNGA Vote for Gaza Ceasefire Historic
Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour hailed the vote as historic. He said the vote has been much needed as the war between Israel and the Hamas enters its third month. “The resolution does not call for or urges, it demands, and we will not rest until we see compliance of Israel with this demand. A ceasefire is necessary to move the massive amounts of humanitarian assistance needed by Gaza besieged civilian population.”
Before Tuesday’s vote, Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan said the resolution was disgraceful and an attempt to bind Israel’s hands. He warned that continuing Israel’s operation in Gaza is the only way any hostages will be released.
But the General Assembly President Dennis Francis said their only priority is to save lives. He highlighted that the civilians in Gaza have nowhere safe to shelter from the fighting and aerial bombardment. “Even war has rules, and it is imperative that we prevent any deviation from these principles and values, the validity of which resides in their universal application.”
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US Reiterates Need for UN to Condemn Hamas
In an attempt to save face, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Washington does agree that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire and that civilians must be protected with international humanitarian law. She urged nations to support an amendment to the resolution condemning Hamas.
“A ceasefire right now would be temporary at best, and dangerous at worst. Dangerous to Israelis, who would be subject to relentless attacks, and also dangerous to Palestinians who deserve the chance to build a better future for themselves free from a group that hides behind innocent civilians.”
Thomas-Greenfield said the US remains committed to Israel’s right to defend itself. On Friday, the US had vetoed the United Nations Security Council resolution for a truce in Gaza.
