During the ongoing conflict involving Israel and Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed his strong reservations about a United Nations General Assembly resolution that called for a ‘humanitarian truce.’ He characterized the resolution as deeply flawed, and when asked about India’s decision to abstain from the UN vote due to its lack of condemnation of Hamas attacks, he stated that even some of their friends did not push for a stronger condemnation of the horrors of the conflict.
Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s firm stance against agreeing to a ceasefire, drawing comparisons to significant historical events like the United States’ response after the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the terrorist attacks of 9/11. He argued that calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas amount to a call for Israel to surrender to terrorism, and he made it clear that this would not be accepted.
India abstained from voting on the Jordanian resolution, which sought an “immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza, as it did not explicitly condemn the terrorist attack by Hamas. However, India supported the Canadian resolution, which included a clause condemning terrorist attacks by Hamas.
The Jordanian-led resolution was adopted by the General Assembly, with 120 votes in favor, 14 against, and 45 abstentions, including India. The resolution was passed during the UN General Assembly’s emergency special session on the Israel-Palestine crisis, and it also called for the continuous and unhindered provision of essential supplies and services to civilians trapped in the conflict.
India, while expressing deep concerns about the deteriorating security situation and civilian casualties in the conflict, urged both parties at the UN to de-escalate and avoid violence. India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Yojna Patel, stressed the need for all parties to act responsibly to prevent further humanitarian crises.
The conflict in Gaza escalated following a significant incident on October 7, when Hamas militants breached the border into Israel from the Gaza Strip, resulting in casualties and hostage-taking. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides, with casualties among both Israelis and Palestinians.
