The UN General Assembly condemns Israel's violence in Gaza

The resolution passed with 120 votes in favour and eight against. US amendment condemning Hamas rejected. The approved text criticizes the launch of rockets, but does not consider Hamas to be solely responsible.

New York (AsiaNews) - The UN General Assembly condemns Israel for the deaths in Gaza. Yesterday, the resolution "Protection of the Palestinian civilian population" (A / ES-10 / L.23) proposed by Algeria, Turkey and the State of Palestine passed with an overwhelming majority: 120 votes in favor, eight against and 45 abstentions.

Instead the amendment proposed by the United States, which provided a strong condemnation to Hamas, was rejected despite receiving 62 votes in favour, 58 against. To be approved, changes to a resolution require a two-thirds majority. The appeal of US representative Nikki Haley, in reference to a procedural rule that provides for a second vote for which a minor majority is needed, did not change the result. At the second vote, the amendment received 66 votes in favor, 73 against and 26 abstentions.

The adopted text " The text adopted “deplores the use of any excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate force by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians ", including the use of "live ammunition against civilian protesters, including children, as well as medical personnel and journalists" . It also requests that the Secretary-General, within 60 days, present his “proposals on ways and means for ensuring the safety, protection and well-being of the Palestinian civilian population under Israeli occupation". The resolution does not fail to condemn the launch of rockets by Hamas, but does not consider it solely responsible.

The violence along the Gaza border began on March 30, "Land Day". Every week, thousands of Palestinians from Gaza march along the border with Israel, claiming the right of refugees to return to their ancestral lands. From the first day, Israel responded by using real ammunition on the demonstrators. The Palestinians presented themselves unarmed at the border, with the exception of Molotov cocktails and "incendiary kites". To date, among the Palestinians there are at least 120 dead and more than 13 thousand wounded. Some are in serious condition or are at risk of amputations. No injuries or significant damage is reported by the Israeli side. Since the beginning of the violence, the Israeli government has always rejected the possibility of an independent investigation, accusing Hamas of pushing the Palestinians to die for propaganda.

• israel
• palestine
• un
• condemnation
• gaza
• resolution
• general assembly
• unga
• return march