In a significant diplomatic move, India voted in favor of a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Palestine. The resolution, adopted amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, garnered support from 145 countries, while only seven countries voted against it.
The UNGA resolution specifically condemned the activities of Israeli settlers in the “Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan.” By its terms, the Assembly denounced settlement activities and any actions involving the confiscation of land, disruption of livelihoods of protected persons, and forced transfers.
A total of 145 countries stood in favor of the resolution, reflecting widespread international concern over the Israeli settlements issue. Meanwhile, only seven countries, including the United States, Israel, Canada, Hungary, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Nauru, voted against the resolution. Eighteen countries chose to abstain from the voting process.
India’s vote in favor of the resolution marks a shift in its stance. Last month, during a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, India abstained from voting. The recent decision to support the condemnation of Israeli settlements underscores India’s evolving approach to the complex issues surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The resolution’s adoption during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas adds a layer of complexity to the geopolitical landscape. The Gaza Strip has been a focal point of intense hostilities, with the international community closely monitoring developments and diplomatic responses.
Notably, the UNGA resolution did not explicitly condemn the terrorist attacks that occurred on October 7. An attempt was made to include this aspect through an amendment before the vote on the main resolution. However, the final text did not incorporate condemnation of the attacks, as reported by news agency PTI, quoting an unnamed source.
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