NB Explains | India abstains from UN vote calling for truce in Israel

India on Friday abstained from voting on a resolution in the United Nations that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict which did not include the Hamas terror attack. However, India supported Canada's proposal to amend the resolution to include condemnation of the Hamas attack. However, the amendment failed to pass the majority test.

 

 

 

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday (local time) adopted a Jordanian-led resolution calling for an "immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce" between Israeli forces and Hamas terrorists in Gaza. However, the Jordan-proposed resolution makes no specific mention of the Hamas terror attacks of 7 October. It condemned Israel's action, but not the Hamas terror attack

 

It was adopted by UNGA, with 120 votes in favour, 14 against and 45 abstentions. The 45 nations that abstained from voting on the resolution included Iceland, India, Panama, Lithuania and Greece.

 

Taking to X, the UN News Centre stated, "BREAKING: UN General Assembly ADOPTS resolution on "protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations" on the ongoing Gaza crisis FOR: 120 AGAINST: 14 ABSTAIN: 45."

 

 

Canada proposed an amendment of condemning the Hamas terror attack, however, did not pass at the UNGA as it failed to achieve a two-thirds majority. An amendment proposed by Canada "unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas" in Israel which started on October 7 and the taking of hostages. India voted in favour of this amendment.

 

Meanwhile, Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, said that if Canada was being fair in its amendment it would agree to name Israel as well as Hamas. He stressed that not naming either side was the best choice. He said, "Israel needs to be named too, if you are to be fair and equitable and just".

 

During the voting on the Canada-led amendment to the draft resolution, 88 voted in favour of the amendment, 55 voted against the amendment and 23 abstained from voting.

 

 

India's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Yojna Patel said, "India is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation and the astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict. The escalation of hostilities in the region will only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. It is necessary for all parties to display the utmost responsibility."

 

She noted that India has always supported a "negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine." Patel said that India urges the parties to de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations.

 

"India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine issue leading to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable state of Palestine living within secure and recognized borders side by side in peace with Israel. For this, we urge the parties to de-escalate, eschew violence and work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations," Yojna Patel said.

 

"We hope that the deliberations of this assembly will send a clear message against terror and violence and expand prospects for diplomacy and dialogue while addressing the humanitarian crisis that confronts us," she added.

 

Without naming Hamas, Patel said, " The terror attacks in Israel on 7th October were shocking and deserve condemnation. Our thoughts are also with those taken hostages. We call for their immediate and unconditional release. Terrorism is a malignancy and knows no borders, nationality or race. The world should not buy into any justification of terror acts. Let us keep aside differences, unite and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism."

 

 

Calling the casualties in Gaza a "telling, serious and continuing concern," Yojna Patel said that the humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed. She stated that India welcomes the international community's de-escalation efforts and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.

 

Patel said, "Casualties in the ongoing conflict in Gaza are a telling, serious and continuing concern. Civilians, especially women and children, are paying with their lives. This humanitarian crisis needs to be addressed. We welcome the international community's de-escalation efforts and delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. India, too, has contributed to this effort."

 

Emphasising that differences and disputes should be resolved through dialogue, Patel said, "In a world where differences and disputes should be resolved by dialogue, this august body should be deeply concerned at recourse to violence. That too, when it happens on a scale and intensity that is an affront to basic human values. Violence as a means to achieve political objectives damages indiscriminately and does not pave the way for any durable solutions."

 

 

Two key words Hamas and hostage were missing from the resolution, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said before the voting, opposing it. “As you’ll notice, two keywords are missing in the resolution before us. The first is Hamas. It is outrageous that this resolution fails to name the perpetrators of the October 7th terrorist attacks: Hamas. Hamas. It is outrageous," the envoy said.

 

“This resolution makes no mention of the innocent people – including citizens of many of you in this room – many of you here today who have citizens who are being held hostage by Hamas and other terrorist groups,” Linda said. “These are omissions of evil. And they give cover to, and they empower Hamas' brutality. And no member state – no member state – should allow that to happen. You should not let it stand,” she said.