The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held another vote on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, supporting a ceasefire resolution regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict.
According to *Al Jazeera*, 153 out of 193 member states voted in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza. This is an increase from the October 2023 vote, which saw 120 countries in support.
Countries supporting the resolution included, but were not limited to: Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, China, North Korea, South Korea, Denmark, Finland, India, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Myanmar, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Qatar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Singapore, Switzerland, the UAE, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.
23 countries abstained, a decrease from the 45 abstentions in October 2023. The abstaining countries were:
1. Argentina
2. Netherlands
3. Bulgaria
4. Equatorial Guinea
5. Georgia
6. Germany
7. Hungary
8. United Kingdom
9. Italy
10. Cameroon
11. Lithuania
12. Malawi
13. Marshall Islands
14. Palau
15. Panama
16. Romania
17. Slovakia
18. South Sudan
19. Cape Verde
20. Togo
21. Tonga
22. Ukraine
23. Uruguay
(See also: 14 Countries Rejected the Israel-Palestine Ceasefire Resolution, Who Are They?)
Ten countries voted against the resolution, down from 14 in October 2023. Those opposing the resolution were:
1. Israel
2. United States
3. Austria
4. Czech Republic
5. Guatemala
6. Liberia
7. Micronesia
8. Nauru
9. Papua New Guinea
10. Paraguay
The vote follows mounting international pressure on Israel to end its months-long offensive in Gaza.
*Al Jazeera* reports that over 18,000 Palestinians have been killed, a majority of them women and children. It is estimated that over 80% of Gaza's population, or 2.3 million people, have been displaced.
Unfortunately, this resolution is symbolic and non-binding, serving only as a barometer of global opinion.
(See also: 65 Days of War, Palestinian Casualties Exceed 18,000)