153 Countries Including India Vote For Ceasefire In Gaza At UN General Assembly (Image: X @UN)
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution on December 12 demanding a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The UN Assembly, a 193-member world body, adopted the significant resolution by a recorded vote of 153 countries supporting the draft resolution. Ten countries were against the resolution, and 23 abstained.
India voted in favour of a draft resolution, introduced by Egypt, at an emergency special session of the United Nations. Ruchira Kamboj, India”s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, stated that there is an enormous humanitarian crisis and a large-scale loss of human lives. Meanwhile, countries including the United States, Austria, the Czech Republic, Guatemala, and Liberia voted against it. The countries that abstained from the draft resolution include the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands. On October 26, when the UN Assembly voted on a resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce,” India was among the 45 countries that abstained.
In favour: 153
Against: 10
Abstentions: 23
UN General Assembly adopts resolution on the Middle East demanding a humanitarian ceasefire, the protection of civilians, the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages and humanitarian access. pic.twitter.com/0szWbQQJVb
— United Nations (@UN) December 12, 2023
According to the UN, the resolution calls for the protection of civilians, the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages, and humanitarian access. “The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on the Middle East demanding a humanitarian ceasefire,” wrote the United Nations on its X handle on December 13. Dennis Francis, President of the General Assembly, said in the UN Assembly that it is incumbent upon the UN to bring an immediate end to the suffering of innocent civilians.
The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly adopted a resolution on the Middle East demanding a humanitarian ceasefire.
The resolution calls for the protection of civilians, the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages and humanitarian access. https://t.co/DDxlBTU8M6 pic.twitter.com/7Heyq3YnGf
— United Nations (@UN) December 13, 2023
Earlier, the United States vetoed a UN Security Council demand for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The resolution was put forward by the United Arab Emirates and backed by more than 90 member states. While 13 council members’ voted in favor, the UK abstained. However, the US does not have veto power in the General Assembly. The latest development is an indicator that the United States is becoming isolated on the world stage.
