My Take | New UN vote on ceasefire will not change an iota in the Gaza war
- Washington has given Israel almost unconditional support. As a result, the United States is fast losing the ‘Arab street’ and the Global South
Kill the messenger. That has long been Israel’s strategy in dealing with the United Nations.
After UN chief Antonio Gutteres urged all parties in the Gaza war to respect and protect civilians, Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan demanded his resignation, saying he was justifying terrorism.
Then on Friday, the world voted overwhelmingly in the UN General Assembly for a major resolution, calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities”.
There were 120 member states in favour, 14 against and 45 abstained. Iraq later changed its vote to yes from an abstention after complaining of a technical glitch, so the final tally became 121 votes in favour and 44 abstentions.
Erdan denounced the resolution, saying the UN no longer held any legitimacy or relevance and accused those who voted yes of preferring to support “the defence of Nazi terrorists” instead of Israel.
It’s hard not to compare the results with those of the March 2022 resolution demanding that Russia immediately end its military operations in Ukraine. Back then, 141 countries voted in favour, with five against and 35 abstained.
