UK US criticize UN resolution for not condemning Hamas
Britain and the US have criticised a UN Security Council resolution which called for “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza but did not condemn Hamas.
Barbara Woodward, Britain’s ambassador to the UN, said: “The UK regrets that the first resolution passed by this council on this matter could not clearly condemn the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7… [but] I commend Malta’s astounding work in bringing this resolution that could pass.”
“I’m horrified that a few members of this council still cannot bring themselves to condemn the barbaric terrorist attack that Hamas carried out against Israel on October 7,” added Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN.
“What are they afraid of? What is stopping them from unequivocally condemning the actions of a terrorist organisation that is determined to kill Jews? And that gunned down civilians, burned families alive, and executed children?”
Both countries abstained from the vote.
The United Nations Security Council had earler voted to adopt a draft resolution calling for “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza.
The resolution urged “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to enable… the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access”.
Three countries – Britain, Russia and the USA – abstained but it passed with 12 votes in favour.
Israel has since dismissed the resolution as disconnected from reality.
