During the UN General Assembly on Friday, Sri Lanka expressed its support for a resolution urging an immediate humanitarian truce in the Israel-Hamas conflict, with the goal of achieving a cessation of hostilities. The resolution also called for unhindered humanitarian access in the Gaza strip.
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 favor, 14 against it, and 45 abstaining.
India abstained in the UN General Assembly vote, along with Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Ukraine, and the UK. The United States and Israel voted against the resolution.
Notably, the Jordanian-drafted resolution did not make any mention of the militant group Hamas, which the US expressed outrage at, citing the "omission of evil."
Before the General Assembly voted on the resolution, the 193-member body considered an amendment proposed by Canada and co-sponsored by the US to the text.
The amendment proposed by Canada asked for the inclusion of a paragraph in the resolution that would state that the General Assembly "unequivocally rejects and condemns the terrorist attacks by Hamas that took place in Israel starting on 7 October 2023 and the taking of hostages, demands the safety, well-being, and humane treatment of the hostages in compliance with international law, and calls for their immediate and unconditional release."
India voted in favor of the amendment, along with 87 other nations, while 55 member states voted against it, and 23 abstained. However, the draft amendment could not be adopted as it failed to obtain a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
