On October 27, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and demanding aid access to Gaza. A total of 120 countries voted in favor of the resolution, 14 countries voted against, and 45 countries abstained.
In a significant move towards peace, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has passed a resolution urging an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, while also pushing for vital aid access to Gaza.
Here’s a quick rundown of how countries voted at the UNGA session in New York City:
In Favour of (120): These countries supported the resolution, emphasizing the need for a truce and humanitarian aid. This included nations like Pakistan Afghanistan, Argentina, China, France, and many more.
Against (14): Fourteen countries, including Austria, Croatia, Israel, and the United States, voted against the resolution, expressing their reservations.
Abstained (45): Forty-five countries, including India, Australia, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, chose to abstain, indicating a neutral stance on the matter.
Notably, Canada introduced an amendment focusing on condemning Hamas for their recent attack on Israel and demanding the release of hostages, but this did not alter the overall outcome.
Breaking it Down
For the resolution to pass, it needed more than two-thirds of the votes in favor. Keep in mind that abstentions didn’t factor into this count. This vote in the General Assembly came after the Security Council tried, and failed, four times in the last two weeks to make a move.
“It’s a clear message: this war needs to end, the suffering of our people must stop, and help should reach Gaza,” stressed Palestinian U.N. representative Riyad Mansour during a press briefing.
However, Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan opposed the resolution. He argued that the U.N. has lost its legitimacy and relevance. He even accused those in favor of essentially siding with “Nazi terrorists” rather than supporting Israel. It’s clear there are strong feelings on both sides of this issue.
This development marks a significant step towards achieving a temporary truce and ensuring crucial aid reaches the affected areas. Stay tuned for further updates on this crucial situation.