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Australia abstains from UN resolution calling for truce in Gaza, prompting criticism at home
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/28/australia-abstains-from-un-resolution-calling-for-truce-in-gaza-prompting-criticism-at-homeAustralia abstains from UN resolution calling for truce in Gaza, prompting criticism at home
Representative explains resolution ‘did not recognise terror group Hamas as perpetrator of 7 October attack’
Jordyn Beazley
Sat 28 Oct 2023 00.38 EDT
Australia has abstained from casting a vote in a UN resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza, arguing it was “incomplete” because it did not mention Hamas as the perpetrator of the 7 October attack.
On Friday, the United Nations general assembly overwhelmingly called for an “immediate, durable and sustainable humanitarian truce” between Israel and Hamas and demanded unhindered aid access to the besieged Gaza Strip.
Israel-Gaza war: UN general assembly calls for ‘immediate, durable humanitarian truce’
The motion, drafted by Jordan, is not binding but carries political weight, with 120 nations voting in favour and only 14 – including the US and Israel – voting no. Meanwhile, 45 countries – including Australia, the UK, Germany, India and Canada – abstained from voting.
James Larsen, Australia’s representative to the United Nations, told the assembly that Australia agreed with the aims of the resolution and repeated Australia’s calls for a humanitarian pause to allow food, water and medicine to reach Gazans.
[...]
Representative explains resolution ‘did not recognise terror group Hamas as perpetrator of 7 October attack’
Jordyn Beazley
Sat 28 Oct 2023 00.38 EDT
Australia has abstained from casting a vote in a UN resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza, arguing it was “incomplete” because it did not mention Hamas as the perpetrator of the 7 October attack.
On Friday, the United Nations general assembly overwhelmingly called for an “immediate, durable and sustainable humanitarian truce” between Israel and Hamas and demanded unhindered aid access to the besieged Gaza Strip.
Israel-Gaza war: UN general assembly calls for ‘immediate, durable humanitarian truce’
The motion, drafted by Jordan, is not binding but carries political weight, with 120 nations voting in favour and only 14 – including the US and Israel – voting no. Meanwhile, 45 countries – including Australia, the UK, Germany, India and Canada – abstained from voting.
James Larsen, Australia’s representative to the United Nations, told the assembly that Australia agreed with the aims of the resolution and repeated Australia’s calls for a humanitarian pause to allow food, water and medicine to reach Gazans.
[...]