US isolated in UNGA resolution for immediate ceasefire in Gaza
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The result of the UNGA vote is surprising as even France, Spain, and the UK refused to join the US' opposition of the motion. As for the European Union, 27 members voted three different ways with the majority abstaining.
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The UN General Assembly voting for an "immediate humanitarian truce" in Gaza on October 27, 2023. (AFP)
The United States is in a bad corner after only 12 nations joined its joint opposition at the United Nations General Assembly with "Israel" to a motion for a sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities in Gaza.
A mere one hour after "Israel" attempted to conduct a ground invasion in Gaza, Jordan’s motion for a ceasefire was passed at the UN in New York by 120 votes to 14 oppositions, and 45 countries abstained. The result was surprising as even France, Spain, and the UK refused to join the US' opposition of the motion. As for the European Union, 27 members voted three different ways with the majority abstaining.
Six of the votes that joined the US were from Pacific islands: Fiji, Tonga, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
In its motion, Jordan added that the release of captives must be unconditional. In a similar context, the representative of the Hamas delegation in Moscow, Abu Hamid, told Kommersant that the Palestinian Resistance does not intend to release captives until an agreement to a ceasefire is reached.
On his part, the Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan claimed the resolution belonged in the "dustbin of history."
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However, American ally Canada claimed these adjustments were not sufficient enough since Jordan’s motion did not specifically name Hamas but condemned “all attacks of violence against Palestinian and Israeli citizens, including all acts of terror and indiscriminate attacks”, in addition to it not describing the captives as "hostages."
'Speaking for justice'
The US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas Greenfield, said that refusing to name Hamas in the motion "empowers it".
After a Canadian-led amendment to the resolution to add a condemnation of Hamas over Operation Al-Aqsa Flood failed to pass, the UNGA broke out into applause. The amendment fell short of the two-thirds majority required, with 88 votes in favor, 55 against, and 23 abstentions. All arab nations voted against it.
However, since a vote at the general assembly requires a two-thirds majority, the Canadian amendment fell through.
Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi described his joy that the general assembly had “spoken for justice” adding that the resolution “is a clear stand against Israel’s war, against the killing of Palestinians, against war crimes, on the side of international law”.
Read more: Gaza facing 'avalanche of human suffering': UN chief
Safadi stated earlier that voting against the General Assembly resolution "means approving this senseless war, this senseless killing."
Israel just launched a ground war on Gaza. Outcome will be a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions for years to come. Voting against Arab #UNGA resolution means approving this senseless war, this senseless killing.
— Ayman Safadi (@AymanHsafadi) October 27, 2023
Millions will be watching every vote. History will judge.
