Why India Abstained From UN Vote On Israel?

New Delhi: India has abstained in the UN General Assembly on a resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict leading to a cessation of hostilities. It also called for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza strip, PTI reported.

Explaining their decision to abstain, India said that the resolution did not mention Hamas and that the UN needs to send a clear message against terror.

“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,” said India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Yojna Patel, NDTV reported.

Condemning the attacks, India said that they deserve condemnation, hinting at the omission of the word “Hamas” from the resolution.

“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,” Patel said.

India also said it is deeply concerned at the deteriorating security situation in the region and urged all parties to de-escalate.

“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,” Patel said.

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.

The remarks came at an emergency UN General Assembly (UNGA) session to vote on the draft resolution submitted by Jordan. The resolution was overwhelmingly adopted with 120 nations voting in its favour, 14 against it, and 45 abstaining.

Besides India, countries that abstained included Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine and the UK. India, instead, lent support to an amendment proposed by Canada seeking condemnation of Hamas and the terror attacks carried out in Israel, the report added.

The 193 members of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), which met in a resumed 10th Emergency Special Session, voted on the draft resolution submitted by Jordan and co-sponsored by more than 40 nations including Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia and South Africa.

The resolution titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations” was adopted with 120 nations voting in its favour, 14 against it and 45 abstaining.

The Jordanian-drafted resolution did not make any mention of the militant group Hamas, with the US expressing outrage at the “omission of evil”.