On December 12, the UN General Assembly voted in favor of adopting a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone. 153 countries voted in favor of the document, including Brazil, Iran, Spain, Canada, China, Russia, France, Switzerland and Sweden. 10 countries, including Israel, the USA and Austria, expressed their opposition. 23 states abstained from voting, including Germany, DW reports.
During the session, the UN General Assembly rejected the amendment presented by the United States, which demanded the condemnation of the Palestinian Hamas movement. 84 countries supported the amendment, 62 were against it, and another 25 countries abstained from voting. A two-thirds vote was needed to approve the censure amendment.
An Austrian amendment stating that Hamas and other groups are holding Israeli hostages was also rejected. The resolution presented by Egypt and Mauritania calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the release of all hostages. The document also requires all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law.
A UN General Assembly resolution is symbolic in nature and not binding, unlike a Security Council resolution.
