The UN Security Council Passes Its First Resolution on Gaza War
The United Nations Security Council recently passed its first resolution on the conflict in Gaza with an urgent call for extended humanitarian pauses. The resolution was approved in a 12-0 vote, with three countries – the United States, Great Britain, and Russia – abstaining.
The United States expressed its support for the resolution but chose not to vote for it because the text did not condemn Hamas. US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed horror at the fact that some council members could not bring themselves to condemn the terror attack carried out by Hamas against Israel in October.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield referenced Hamas’ infiltration of Southern Israel last month, where over 1,200 people were killed and over 239 were taken captive. She questioned why the UNSC has never condemned Hamas and asked what they are afraid of.
She emphasized the actions of a terrorist organization that is determined to kill Jews and highlighted the civilian casualties, burnings, and hostage-taking by Hamas. She stressed that Hamas had set the conflict in motion and only cares about the death and destruction of the Israeli people.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield concluded by stating that the US could not vote in favor of a text that did not condemn Hamas or affirm the right of all member states to protect their citizens from terror attacks. She pledged to continue urging the council to condemn Hamas.
She also pointed out that this was the first time a resolution mentioned Hamas and expressed full support for the release of all hostages.
