United Nations, US: Representatives from Israel and Arab countries exchanged sharp accusations Thursday at the UN General Assembly, as the body discussed the Israel-Hamas war following the Security Council鈥檚 failure to take action.
The matter has exposed deep divisions in the Security Council, with a total of four resolutions gaining insufficient traction or being blocked by a veto in less than two weeks.
Arab countries are hoping that the General Assembly, which has a different power balance and where no country holds a veto, will be able to act, even if any resolution would be nonbinding.
But the back-and-forth Thursday remained in attack mode, with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, who spoke on behalf of 22 Arab countries, accusing Israel of 鈥渕aking Gaza a perpetual hell on Earth.鈥�
鈥淭he trauma will haunt generations to come,鈥� he said, adding that 鈥渢he right to self defense is not a license to kill with impunity. Collective punishment is not self defense, it is a war crime.鈥�
Israel鈥檚 relentless bombardment was launched on October 7 in retaliation for the Hamas attack which Israeli officials say killed 1,400 people. More than 200 others were kidnapped.
The strikes, according to Gaza鈥檚 Hamas-run health ministry, have killed more than 7,000 people 鈥� a toll expected to rise substantially if Israeli troops massed near the border move into the Palestinian territory.
鈥淭o stop this madness, you have a chance to do something, to give an important signal. Choose justice, not vengeance,鈥� said Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour.
Jordan has circulated a draft resolution that is still under discussion, which is meant to be put to vote on Friday.
The text focuses largely on the humanitarian situation, calling for an 鈥渋mmediate cease-fire鈥� and 鈥渦nhindered humanitarian access鈥� to the Gaza Strip.
It also calls on all parties to comply with the 鈥減rotection of civilians,鈥� but makes no mention of the Hamas attack.
Israeli UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan blasted the text.
鈥淭he drafters of the resolution claim to be concerned about peace,鈥� he said. 鈥淵et the depraved murderers who initiated this war are not even mentioned in the resolution.鈥�
鈥淭he only place this resolution belongs is in the dustbin of history,鈥� he added.