The Czech Republic’s top defense official is calling for her country to leave the United Nations after its central policy-making body approved a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza but failing to mention killings and kidnappings of civilians committed in Israel by Hamas.
The Czech Republic was one of 14 U.N. members that voted against the Arab states-drafted resolution, which overwhelmingly passed the General Assembly on Friday with 120 supporting votes and 45 abstentions. A Canadian amendment, which would have unequivocally condemned Hamas’ atrocities and demanded an unconditional release of all hostages held by the terrorist group, was defeated in an 88-55 vote with 23 abstentions.
Only two other European Union members, Austria and Hungary, opposed the resolution alongside the United States, Israel, Paraguay, and a group of Pacific Island states.
“I’m ashamed of the U.N.,” she continued. “In my opinion, the Czech Republic has no place in an organization that cheers on terrorists and does not respect the fundamental right to self-defense. Let’s get out.”
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, who recently visited Israel in a show of solidarity and pledged complete support of Israel’s right to defend itself, on Sunday said he understands his cabinet member’s frustration but argued that it is in Prague’s best interest to maintain a voice in the U.N.
“I understand the minister’s indignation at the U.N. resolution, which did not condemn the terrorism of Hamas in Israel. The Czech Republic, together with, for example, the USA or Austria, voted in accordance with what we stand for in the long term. We will continue to stand by our positions in the UN and convince other countries that we are right,” Mr. Fiala told Denník N, a Slovak newspaper.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský likewise rejected the idea that his country should withdraw from the U.N., arguing in a debate on Czech Television that it’s important for the Czech Republic to advance its national interest while working within a “stable and predictable” UN framework.
“The idea of withdrawing from the UN must be rejected,” he said. “The most important reason is that the U.N. Charter contains some key principles which create for the Czech Republic—even with its size and position in the international community—a stable and predictable framework in which we can operate from the point of view of national interest.”
The U.N. resolution comes as the Israeli military continues to pound Gaza with punishing air raids and artillery fires while preparing for a ground assault. Speaking on Saturday in Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it could be a “long and hard fight” to destroy “enemies above ground and below ground.”
“This is the second stage of the war whose goals are clear—to destroy Hamas’ governing and military capabilities and to bring the hostages home,” he told reporters, reiterating that Palestinian civilians should leave the northern part of Gaza as the region turns into a war zone.
The General Assembly vote also comes after the U.N. Security Council, on which five permanent members, including the United States, Russia, and China hold veto power, failed to deliver a resolution that would halt the conflict in the Middle East. A Security Council resolution, unlike General Assembly resolutions, is enforceable under international law.
During a vote on Wednesday in the 15-member council, the United States vetoed a Russian-drafted resolution that would have called for an immediate “humanitarian cease-fire” and unequivocally condemned Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel’s “indiscriminate attacks” on civilians in Gaza.
Also failed at the meeting was a U.S.-led resolution emphasizing the “inherent right of all states” to defend themselves while calling for compliance with international law. It would support “humanitarian pauses” so that critical supplies could be able to flow into Gaza and to the people who need them, but not a full ceasefire.
The U.S. measure did secure the votes it needed to advance out of the council, but was ultimately vetoed by Russia and China. The United Arab Emirates also voted against the proposal, and Brazil and Mozambique abstained from voting.
“The United States is deeply disappointed that Russia and China vetoed this resolution. A resolution that, as I’ve said, was strong and it was balanced,” said U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield following the vote.
“Though today’s vote was a setback, we must not be deterred,” she added, reiterating that Washington’s goal is “to build a more peaceful and secure future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
In the meantime, Washington is providing Israel with much-needed ammunition to replenish its multibillion-dollar “Iron Dome” air defense system, which has so far successfully intercepted most of the rockets fired by Hamas from Gaza.
The Pentagon has also ordered two aircraft carrier strike groups—including the one centered around the USS Gerald R. Ford, America’s newest and most technologically advanced warship—to the eastern Mediterranean Sea, with the goal to “deter hostile actions against Israel” and prevent the war from spiraling into a wider conflict.
