Greece, Cyprus and Australia, opted to abstain from voting on Jordan’s resolution at the UN General Assembly, which called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. On the opposing side, both Israel and the United States voted against the resolution.
Despite these divisions, the resolution managed to secure approval with 120 votes in favour, while 14 nations voted against it, and 45 chose to abstain.
Greece’s position on this matter aligns with its long-standing principled foreign policy. Throughout the ongoing Middle East crisis, Greece has maintained a balanced stance, emphasising its commitment to upholding the principles and values of international law.
Australia abstained from voting on a call for an immediate humanitarian truce between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza at the UN General Assembly on Saturday.
Australia’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations, James Larsen, told the assembly Australia “abstained with disappointment.”
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has criticised the government for abstaining from voting a United Nations motion for a truce between Israel and Hamas, labelling the prime minister “weak.”
Regarding the voting process, diplomatic sources have offered some insights. They clarify that abstention within the UN does not equate to a vote against a resolution. On the contrary, abstaining countries are not counted among those present, making it easier to achieve a qualified two-thirds majority for a resolution.
Greece’s stance was in line with the majority of European Union countries, where 15 nations chose to abstain, eight voted in favour, and four voted against the resolution.
Moreover, Greece showed its support for Canada’s amendment, which explicitly condemned the terrorist acts carried out by Hamas. If this amendment had been adopted, it might have garnered broader support for the resolution from all countries.
Sources: Defence Defined and ABC News.
