NEW YORK – The World Jewish Congress on Thursday expressed its deep disappointment over the failure of the United Nations General Assembly to adopt a United States-sponsored resolution condemning Hamas and other Gaza-based terror groups for their belligerent actions that indiscriminately target Israeli citizens.
The US resolution, which demanded, “that Hamas and other militant actors including Palestinian Islamic Jihad cease activity, including by using airborne incendiary devices,” sought to censure the terror organizations for “repeatedly firing rockets into Israel and inciting violence.”
Although the resolution received the backing of the 87 states, including the European Union members and other key delegations, it failed to pass the Assembly, with 57 states voting against, and 43 absentions. At the beginning of the debate, the General Assembly narrowly voted in favor of a vote requiring a two-thirds majority, rather than simple majority, on the resolution.
This follows the passage last week of six one-sided condemnatory resolutions against Israel by the General Assembly.
In response to the vote, WJC President Ronald S. Lauder said, “The United Nations General Assembly has had countless opportunities to prove that it stands of the right side of history. Yet, time and again, the vast majority of its members have failed to do so. Today’s disappointing vote is just the latest example of the anti-Israeli bias and double standards that run rampant throughout the international community. We thank all of the member states who expressed their support for this important resolution."
“Hamas is a terrorist organization that exploits the lives of innocent civilians in its boundless quest to terrify Israelis and destroy the State of Israel. It is high time that the international community recognize Hamas for what it is and condemn it in the strongest terms possible,” Lauder said.
“Although the result of today’s vote was not the one we hoped for, I would like to use this as an opportunity to wish US Ambassador Nikki Haley future success as she prepares to step down from her post at the end of this year. On behalf of the global Jewish community, we extend our deep heartfelt appreciation for her wonderful work and uncompromising commitment to the Jewish people and the State of Israel. During her time in New York, she has done more publicly to call out the UN’s deeply ingrained anti-Israel bias than anyone else in recent memory. For this, we will be forever grateful,” Lauder said.