UN Human Rights Council Adopts Resolution to Halt Arms Sales to Israel... US Opposes

by Byun Seonjin

Published 05 Apr.2024 19:35(KST)

On the 5th (local time), the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution calling on countries around the world to halt arms sales to Israel.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to foreign media including the AP News, the Human Rights Council, composed of 47 member states, voted on the resolution at the 55th session held at the UN European Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, passing it with 28 votes in favor, 6 against, and 13 abstentions. The resolution also holds Israel accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Palestinian Gaza Strip.

The adoption appears to have been strengthened by growing international criticism of Israel following the Israeli airstrike on an international aid organization's truck in Gaza on the 1st, which killed seven aid workers.

This resolution drew attention as it was adopted amid voices criticizing the United States for its double standard of publicly calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza war while continuing to supply weapons to Israel.

Since the outbreak of the war last October, it is reported that the United States has provided Israel with over 100 arms shipments. Recently, reports emerged that the U.S. government plans to sell 50 F-15 fighter jets and a large quantity of precision-guided munitions to Israel, with congressional approval to be requested soon.

The United States voted against the resolution, citing the absence of condemnation of Hamas's attack on Israel last October and the omission of references to the terrorist nature of that act. However, the U.S. also pointed out that Israel has not taken sufficient measures to reduce civilian casualties in Gaza.

The decision of the United Nations Human Rights Council carries no legal binding force. However, since it approves international human rights agendas, it is politically considered to hold significant weight.