UN Security Council Shoots Down Russian Resolution on Gaza

Jerusalem, 17 October, 2023 (TPS) -- The UN Security Council rejected a draft Russian resolution on the Gaza war that failed to mention Hamas on Monday night.

The Russian text called for a humanitarian ceasefire, release of all hostages, and the creation of a humanitarian corridor. But the text did not condemn Hamas for its attacks on Israeli communities, taking of hostages or rocket fire.

The draft failed by a vote of five in favor, four against, and six abstentions. The US, Britain and France, which have veto power in the Security Council, voted against the resolution, as did Japan.

The resolution was supported by China, Gabon, Mozambique, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, Ghana, Malta, and Switzerland abstained.

The Hamas attack on communities near the Gaza border killed more than 1,400 Israelis and injured over 4,100. At least 199 hostages were taken to Gaza.

Explaining the American veto, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Council, “By failing to condemn Hamas, Russia is giving cover to a terrorist group that brutalizes innocent civilians. It is outrageous, it is hypocritical, and it is indefensible,”

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan called on the Security Council to designate Hamas as a “terrorist organization.”

“Every council member should understand that Hamas is driven by an ideology no different than the Nazis,” Erdan said.

Erdan also called Hamas’s charter “Mein Kampf on steroids.”

Analysts told the Tazpit Press Service that Moscow will try to exploit the Gaza war to distract the world from its war in Ukraine and spoil Israel-Saudi Arabia peace efforts.