The Tunisian Foreign Ministry issued a statement late on Friday, shedding light on the reasons behind its abstention from voting in favor of an Arab resolution at the United Nations General Assembly. The resolution called for an immediate, permanent, and humanitarian ceasefire in the war between Israel and the Hamas movement.
Published on its official Facebook page, the Tunisian Foreign Ministry expressed that its decision to abstain was due to the serious situation in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories. The ministry highlighted that the gravity of the situation demands a higher standard, which the text of the resolution did not meet. While the resolution called for facilitating the entry of humanitarian aid and preventing forced displacement, it overlooked several crucial issues.
The Tunisian Foreign Ministry listed these issues as follows:
* “The absence of explicit and strong condemnation of war crimes and crimes of genocide committed by the occupation forces.”
* “The failure to demand accountability for the occupier for its crimes.”
* “The lack of a clear demand for an immediate halt to aggression.”
* “Additionally, the resolution equated the oppressor with the victim.”
The United Nations General Assembly passed the non-binding resolution on Friday evening with 120 members in favor, 14 against, and 45 abstentions out of 193 members. Among the abstaining countries were Tunisia and Iraq, the latter of which cited a technical issue as the reason for its abstention. Drafted by Jordan on behalf of the Arab Group consisting of 22 countries, the resolution called for “an immediate, permanent, and ongoing humanitarian ceasefire leading to a cessation of military operations.”
The initial version of the resolution had demanded an “immediate ceasefire.” A Canada-led attempt to amend the resolution to include a rejection and condemnation of “Hamas’ terrorist attacks… and its hostage-taking” failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority, garnering 88 votes in favor, with 55 against and 23 abstentions.
The situation in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Palestinian factions like Hamas, has been a longstanding source of tension and conflict. The United Nations General Assembly has often been a platform for countries to express their positions and call for resolutions to address the crisis. Tunisia’s abstention from this particular vote highlights the complexities of diplomatic relations and the demands for a more comprehensive approach to resolving the conflict. The need for explicit condemnation of violence, accountability for war crimes, and a clear demand for the cessation of aggression reflects the international community’s call for a just resolution. This situation underscores the importance of transparency and clarity in diplomatic communications, especially when dealing with sensitive geopolitical issues. The article aims to provide readers with a deeper understanding of Tunisia’s stance, contributing to a more informed global discourse on the issue.
