UN General Assembly Overwhelmingly Votes for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza

Author: Dian Kencana
December 13, 2023

Palestinian inspect a building after it was hit by an Israeli bombardment on Rafah, Gaza Strip, Tuesday (12/12). Photo: AP

SEAToday.com, New York-UN General Assembly Emergency Special Session on the decades-long Israel-Palestine conflict and as the ongoing crisis in Gaza shows no signs of abating held on Tuesday (12/12), successfully adopted a resolution demanding an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire”. The vote passed with an overwhelming 153 nations in favor, 10 against, and 23 abstentions.

The ten countries that refused were Austria, Czechia, Guatemala, Israel, Liberia, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and the United States.

The resolution, which also demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and “ensuring humanitarian access”, was an attempt to rebuke the United States repeated blocking of ceasefire calls in the UN’s Security Council, including one on December 8, which had been approved by the majority of the council.

While a General Assembly vote is politically significant and seen as wielding moral weight, it is nonbinding, unlike a Security Council resolution. However, this adopted resolution also reiterated the General Assembly's demand that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, “notably with regard to the protection of civilians”.