UN Security Council Turns Down Russian Draft Resolution on Gaza for Omitting Hamas

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The United Nations Security Council dismissed a Russian draft resolution on Monday evening, which censured violence and terrorism against civilians but conspicuously left out any reference to Hamas. The latter group’s unexpected assault, resulting in the deaths of 1,300 Israelis, has been deemed the most devastating massacre of Jews since the Holocaust of World War II.

The draft secured support from only four nations—Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates, Mozambique, and Gabon. Conversely, it was opposed by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Japan. Six other members of the Council opted for abstention. A resolution needs a minimum of nine affirmative votes out of 15 to pass.

Despite its mandate to uphold international peace and security, the UN’s apex body has not successfully addressed Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 that claimed approximately 1,300 lives, nor Israel’s subsequent retaliatory airstrikes that resulted in 2,750 fatalities. Additionally, the Council has not reacted to Israel’s directive advising residents in northern Gaza to relocate to the south to evade an anticipated ground assault.

Barbara Woodward, the British Ambassador to the UN, stated that overlooking Israel’s largest-ever terrorist attack would be “unconscionable” for the Council.

Following the rejection of Russia’s draft, Woodward indicated that talks will proceed concerning an alternative resolution from Brazil. This rival draft also “emphatically denounces all forms of violence and terrorism against civilians” but goes on to “explicitly condemn the reprehensible terrorist attacks by Hamas” initiated on October 7.

The timeframe for voting on the Brazilian draft remained undetermined as of Monday night.

Prior to the voting process on Russia’s proposal, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia advocated for the resolution, arguing that it addresses the “dramatic escalation of the current crisis,” with the death toll “rising by the hour.” He reiterated his condemnation of the loss of civilian lives in both Israel and Gaza.

After the vote, Nebenzia asserted that the Security Council has become “subservient to the unilateral aims of Western nations,” failing to issue a collective message aimed at diffusing “the most significant surge of violence in recent decades.”

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield retorted that the Russian draft’s glaring omission of Hamas, a group committed to the destruction of Israel and the extermination of Jews, essentially provides a shield to a recognized terrorist organization. She noted that the absence of a condemnation of Hamas implicitly justifies the human rights abuses and humanitarian crisis inflicted on the residents of Gaza.

Thomas-Greenfield emphasized that civilians should not bear the brunt of “Hamas’ atrocities,” urging both the Council and the global community to focus on resolving Gaza’s humanitarian situation, to denounce Hamas, and to reaffirm Israel’s right to defend itself.

The rejected Russian draft had proposed “an immediate, enduring, and fully honored humanitarian ceasefire” and had denounced “all forms of violence and terrorism directed at civilians,” without specifying Hamas.

Brazil’s alternate draft also calls for “humanitarian pauses,” along with its clear condemnation of Hamas and all acts of violence and terrorism against civilians.

Anticipating the likely failure of its own draft, Russia earlier on Monday proposed two separate amendments to Brazil’s draft, to be voted on subsequent to the vote on Russia’s proposal but prior to a vote on Brazil’s complete draft.

One of these amendments sought to introduce a clause calling “for an immediate, enduring, and fully honored humanitarian ceasefire.”

The second suggested amendment aimed to “explicitly condemn indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, which deprive the civilian populace of resources essential for their survival, in violation of international law.”

The Security Council, having convened in confidential sessions twice within five days to discuss the Israel-Hamas conflict, has not yet been able to form a unified stance. Both the Russian and Brazilian drafts were circulated over the weekend following these closed-door meetings.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about UN Security Council Resolution on Gaza

More about UN Security Council Resolution on Gaza

• UN Security Council Official Website
• Russia’s Draft Resolution on Gaza
• Brazil’s Draft Resolution on Gaza
• Statements from the British UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward
• Statements from the US UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield
• Voting Records of UN Security Council Resolutions