In a move guaranteed to piss off Bibi and his merry band of genocidal maniacs, the United States abstained from the vote for a cease fire by the United Nations Security Council today.
For the first time the UN security council has voted for a call for a ceasefire in Gaza, after the US abstained, rather than using its veto as it has done on previous occasions. Russia and China have also previously vetoed texts.
The resolution that passed was written by the 10 elected members to the council, and proposed in the chamber by Mozambique’s representative.
Apparently Russia tried to amend the resolution to add the word “permanent” to the text but that bid failed. Whatever you think of I/P issues, this is good news, though I doubt Israel will recognize the resolution. Netanyahu has apparently decided that Israel will be Palestinian free in the future and people like Jared Kushner are salivating to develop that sweet, sweet beachfront property without those pesky hungry children cluttering the place up.
Look, I’ve always said that what Hamas did was abominable but an act of terrorism does not justify what Israel has done since. By systematically starving children with the flimsiest of excuses and denying aid to millions of people, they have ceded the moral high ground long ago. It’s time to stop the slaughter. I doubt that the ratio of dead Hamas terrorists to dead civilians is even 100 to 1. It must stop. Now.
Update with text of UN Resolution on Gaza. The full text is as follows:
Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations,
Recalling all of its relevant resolutions on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question,
Reiterating its demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and in this regard deploring all attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as all violence and hostilities against civilians, and all acts of terrorism, and recalling that the taking of hostages is prohibited under international law,
Expressing deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip,
Acknowledging the ongoing diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States, aimed at reaching a cessation of hostilities, releasing the hostages and increasing the provision and distribution of humanitarian aid,
1. Demands an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan respected by all parties leading to a lasting sustainable ceasefire, and also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs, and further demands that the parties comply with their obligations under international law in relation to all persons they detain;
2. Emphasises the urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance to and reinforce the protection of civilians in the entire Gaza Strip and reiterates its demand for the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale, in line with international humanitarian law as well as resolutions 2712 (2023) and 2720 (2023);
3. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Update X 2: Justin King’s Take:
“Beau” of the Fifth Column is one of my favorite analysts, especially when it comes to foreign policy. Agree or disagree, he’s always worth paying attention to.