UN resolution calls for Israel-Hamas ceasefire | CityNews Calgary
The United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to demand a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza in a robust demonstration of worldwide help for ending the Israel-Hamas warfare.
Canada was amongst 153 nations voting in favour of the non-binding UN decision. There have been 23 abstentions and 10 votes in opposition to the decision.
Canada’s vote represents a serious shift in its long-standing place of voting with Israel on main resolutions on the worldwide physique. In addition to a humanitarian ceasefire, Tuesday’s vote on the UN General Assembly calls for the “protection of civilians, the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages, and humanitarian access.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly addressed reporters after Canada’s vote, saying, “We’re not naïve.”
“This ceasefire cannot be one-sided. Hamas continues to hold hostages, use civilians as shields, and attacks Israel. Hostages must be released immediately, civilians must be protected, and foreign nationals, including, of course, Canadians, must be allowed to leave Gaza,” she mentioned.
This comes after the prime ministers of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand referred to as for “international efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire” in a joint assertion.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon started their name by saying the international locations mourn each Israeli and Palestinian harmless life which “has been lost in this conflict.”
“We unequivocally condemn Hamas’ terror attacks on Israel on October 7, the appalling loss of life, and the heinous acts of violence perpetrated in those attacks, including sexual violence. We condemn Hamas’ unacceptable treatment of hostages and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages,” the assertion reads.
“We recognize Israel’s right to exist and right to defend itself. In defending itself, Israel must respect international humanitarian law. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. We are alarmed at the diminishing safe space for civilians in Gaza. The price of defeating Hamas cannot be the continuous suffering of all Palestinian civilians.”
Support through the newest vote was increased than it was for an Oct. 27 decision that referred to as for a “humanitarian truce” resulting in a cessation of hostilities, the place the vote was 120-14 with 45 abstentions.
After the United States vetoed a decision within the Security Council on Friday demanding a humanitarian cease-fire, Arab and Islamic nations referred to as for an emergency session of the 193-member General Assembly to vote on a decision making the identical demand.
Unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions usually are not legally binding. But the meeting’s messages “are also very important” and mirror world opinion, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric mentioned Monday.
-With information from The Canadian Press
