The United Kingdom has backed a UN resolution that demanded for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for the month of Ramadan.
The is the first time United Nations Security Council (UNSC) called for a halt to the Israel–Hamas war.
The resolution, passed on Monday with 14 votes in support, also demanded “the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” and humanitarian access to allow the flow of aid, but it did not link the demand for a release of the hostages to the ceasefire during Ramadan, which runs until April 9.
Downing Street has said the UNSC resolution sent a clear message that the hostages held by Hamas should be released and aid should allowed in to Gaza.
The United States, which has vetoed three previous ceasefire resolution and had its own resolution vetoed by Russia and China last week, abstained in the vote.
While speaking to the UNSC, Gilad Erdan, ambassador and permanent representative of Israel, accused the council of discriminating among victims, and said it’s “a disgrace” that the resolution didn’t condemn the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Downing Street told reporters on Monday that the UK backed the resolution because it has “long called for an immediate humanitarian pause or temporary ceasefire leading to a sustainable ceasefire.
“We of course recognise that Israel continues to deal with the aftermath of the brutal attacks on Oct. 7 and innocent hostages continue to be held by Hamas,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said.
“Israel has a right to defend itself and ensure that such an attack can never happen again.”
But he added that “far too many” Palestinians had been killed “and a humanitarian catastrophe is a clear and present risk”.
“This resolution sends a clear message for the need for all hostages to be released and for aid to be scaled up,” the spokesman said.
Asked what message the government would send to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the official said: “We would obviously urge both sides to listen to that and to follow this resolution.”
Challenged over whether the UN vote would make any difference, the spokesman said: “We’ve obviously seen a number of talks in recent weeks, and we believe and have previously said that we hope negotiators can reach an agreement on a temporary ceasefire as soon as possible.”
While speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office Minister Andrew Mitchell said the government “regret[s] that this resolution did not condemn the abhorrent and brutal terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas on Oct. 7. ”The UK condemns these attacks unequivocally,“ he told MPs, adding, ”We have been forthright in speaking up for Israel’s right to defend itself and ensure such an attack can never happen again.”
The minister said the UK wants Israelis and Palestinians to “live in peace and security,” and argued that “an immediate humanitarian pause, leading to a sustainable ceasefire, is the best way to achieve a lasting peace.”
However, Conservative MP Matthew Offord said the resolution will “embolden” Hamas, while former cabinet minister Theresa Villiers said her Chipping Barnet constituents “feel badly let down” by the votes at the UN.
“The UN resolution has undermined efforts to secure the release of the hostages held by Hamas with a collapse in negotiations only today. Hamas has reiterated its hardline positions that were previously criticized by the United Kingdom,” Mr. Offord said.
He questioned whether the minister shared his concern that “the resolution will not only embolden Hamas, which hopes to achieve a ceasefire without releasing the hostages, and enable it to maintain its grip on the people of Gaza.”
Responding to the question, Mr. Mitchell said: “It certainly should not do that,” and repeated the government’s regret over the lack of condemnation against Hamas.
Ms. Villiers said her constituents have been in touch to tell her their disappointments, saying she does not understand how ministers can say the UK’s policy hasn’t changed, having just “voted for a resolution that does not condemn the Hamas atrocity of Oct. 7, and de-links a ceasefire with the release of hostages.”
Mr. Mitchell replied by saying the resolution does set out “the urgent demand for the unconditional release of all hostages” and that the UK welcomes “the ongoing diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to that end.”
