The United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on Friday to ban the export of arms to Israel amid its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, marking the council’s first stance on the Gaza war.
The resolution, adopted by the UN Council, calls for holding Israel accountable for potential war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, with 28 votes in favor, 6 objections, and 13 abstentions.
The United States, Germany, Paraguay, Malawi, Bulgaria, and Argentina opposed the resolution.
The council’s adoption of the resolution came after Pakistan submitted a draft resolution calling for an arms embargo on Israel, urging it to end the occupation of Palestinian territories and fulfill its legal responsibility to prevent genocide.
The council discussed Pakistan’s draft resolution, which addressed Israel’s use of explosive weapons extensively in populated areas of the Gaza Strip.
Pakistan presented the draft resolution on behalf of 55 out of 56 member states in the United Nations-affiliated with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, except Albania.
Yesterday, US President Joe Biden informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would temporarily suspend discussions on future arms deals for Israel in Congress until a change is observed in its strategy regarding the protection of civilians and the provision of aid to Gaza.
Canada announced last March the suspension of arms exports to Israel as part of its demand for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, while Italy in the same month announced its refusal to sell weapons and ammunition to Tel Aviv used by the Israeli navy, and Spain suspended its military exports to Israel.
The United States is the main supplier of weapons to Israel, followed by Germany, which has continued to supply Tel Aviv with arms since the start of its war on the Gaza Strip.
It’s worth noting that the UN council’s decision came after the Israeli security establishment warned the government that if aid to Gaza is not increased, Israel will face unprecedented sanctions and an arms embargo from Europe and the United States, according to Israeli broadcasting.
