The United States faced increasing international isolation following a resounding vote at the United Nations General Assembly, where 153 out of 193 member states rallied behind a call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The assembly chamber in New York erupted in cheers and applause as the emergency vote results were announced.
The resolution, expressing “grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,” gained overwhelming support. Only 10 nations, including the US, Israel, and Austria, voted against it, with 23, including the UK and Germany, choosing to abstain. This marked a significant shift from a previous UN resolution in October, which had 120 votes in favour, 14 against, and 45 abstentions.
The vote highlighted a growing global consensus for an end to Israel’s relentless assault on Gaza, where reports indicate that over 18,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, with up to 70% of the fatalities being women and children.
The resolution called for the protection of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians under international law and demanded the immediate release of all hostages. Notably, a nearly identical resolution proposed at the UN Security Council on Friday was vetoed by the US, accentuating the Biden administration’s increasing isolation.
Before the vote, signs emerged that President Joe Biden might be moving towards a more critical posture regarding Israel. At a re-election campaign fundraiser in Washington, he cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the diminishing international support for the war on Hamas.
The Palestinian envoy to the UN, Riyad Mansour, hailed the vote as an expression of global sentiment that the US could not afford to ignore. Egypt, co-sponsoring the resolution on behalf of the Arab group of nations, warned of dire consequences if military actions in Gaza persisted.
In response, the US delegation attempted to strike a balance between supporting Israel and expressing concern for Palestinian civilians. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasised Israel’s right to defend itself while urging the avoidance of mass displacement of civilians and the provision of sufficient humanitarian assistance.
As the world unites in calling for an immediate ceasefire, the US finds itself increasingly isolated, facing a diplomatic challenge in navigating the complexities of the Gaza conflict on the international stage. The resounding support at the UN underscores a shifting global sentiment that challenges the US stance on the ongoing crisis.
Kiki Garba
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