Israel-Hamas war: NZ supports UN General Assembly vote that passes overwhelmingly for ceasefire in Gaza

Palestinian United Nations Ambassador Riyad Mansour (right) speaks during a press conference ahead of a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Photo / AP

New Zealand has supported a United Nations resolution demanding an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in Gaza.

The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for the resolution, in a strong demonstration of global support for ending the Israel-Hamas war. The vote also showed the growing isolation of the United States and Israel.

It came after this morning the Prime Ministers of New Zealand, Australia and Canada issued an unprecedented joint statement calling for the resumption of a pause in hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

The vote in the 193-member world body was 153 in favour, 10 against and 23 abstentions. The support was higher than for an October 27 resolution that called for a “humanitarian truce” leading to a cessation of hostilities, where the vote was 120-14 with 45 abstentions.

After the United States vetoed a resolution in the Security Council last week demanding a humanitarian ceasefire, Arab and Islamic nations called for an emergency session of the 193-member General Assembly to vote on a resolution making the same demand.

New Zealand, which is not a member of the Security Council, had co-sponsored that resolution, indicating support for it generally.

This move was in contrast to statements from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters the day before, when they both called for “steps towards” a ceasefire.

New Zealand today also supported amendments making specific reference to the extremist group Hamas, but these did not get enough support.

New Zealand’s permanent representative Carolyn Schwalger repeated the longstanding position that the country condemned the actions of Hamas, and supported Israel’s right to defend itself but only within international humanitarian law.

“Civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, must be protected,” she said.

“New Zealand is gravely concerned about the impact of this conflict on civilians. The loss of life and level of suffering in Gaza is utterly devastating: over a million people with nowhere to go; outbreaks of disease; and overwhelming challenges with nutrition, sanitation, and overcrowding. There is simply not enough water, food, fuel and shelter.”

She called for immediate humanitarian support, while also criticising the UN Security Council over its inaction.

“We are deeply disappointed that the casting of a veto yet again prevented the Security Council from agreeing on a response to a pressing crisis.

“The General Assembly has, once again, had to take action where the Security Council has failed to do so.”

Schwalger repeated New Zealand’s support for a two-state solution and resuming the Middle East Peace process, while condemning Israel’s illegal settlements and violence by settlers.

Unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding. But the assembly’s messages “are also very important” and reflect world opinion, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The General Assembly vote reflects the growing isolation of the United States as it refuses to join demands for a ceasefire. More than the United Nations or any other international organisation, the United States is seen as the only entity capable of persuading Israel to accept a ceasefire as its closest ally and biggest supplier of weaponry.

Palestinian United Nations Ambassador Riyad Mansour (third from left), confers with diplomats before the United Nations General Assembly vote on a resolution, calling on Israel to uphold legal and humanitarian obligations in its war with Hamas. Photo / AP

In tougher language than usual, though, US President Joe Biden warned before the vote that Israel was losing international support because of its “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza.

“I think it will send a message to Washington and to others,” Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations, told reporters before the vote. He said a demand from the United Nations, whether it’s the Security Council or the General Assembly, should be looked at as binding.

“And Israel has to abide by it, and those who are shielding and protecting Israel until now should also look at it this way, and therefore act accordingly,” Mansour said.

The resolution expresses “grave concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population”, and it says Palestinians and Israelis must be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law.

It also demands that all parties comply with international humanitarian law, “notably with regard to the protection of civilians”, and calls for “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access”.

The resolution makes no mention of Hamas, whose militants killed about 1200 people and abducted about 240 in the surprise attack inside Israel on October 7 that set off the war.

One amendment proposed by the United States would have added a paragraph stating that the assembly “unequivocally rejects and condemns the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas”.

A second amendment proposed by Austria would have added that the hostages are “held by Hamas and other groups” and should be released “immediately”.

Both amendments were voted down.

The war has brought unprecedented death and destruction, with much of northern Gaza obliterated, more than 18,000 Palestinians killed according to the Hamas-run health ministry, 70 per cent of them reportedly children and women, and over 80 per cent of the population of 2.3 million pushed from their homes.