The United Nations’ top human rights body, the U.N. Human Rights Council, made a significant move on Friday by adopting a resolution that calls for all countries to halt the supply of arms to Israel. This resolution puts key allies of Israel under international scrutiny for possible violations of international humanitarian law.
The resolution, approved by a vote of 28 to 6 with 13 abstentions, urges countries to stop supplying arms and munitions to Israel in order to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses. The United States and Germany, Israel’s top arms suppliers, voted against the measure.
While the resolution may not have immediate practical consequences, it adds diplomatic weight to international calls to curb the supply of weapons being used in Gaza. It also supports measures ordered by the International Court of Justice, demanding Israel comply with the Genocide Convention and provide more aid to Gaza.
Israel’s ambassador, Meirav Eilon Shahar, criticized the passage of the resolution, calling it a “very dark day in the history of the council” and accusing it of turning a blind eye to violence against Israelis. The Israeli foreign ministry also pointed out that the council ignored the supply of weapons to Hamas by Iran and its allies.
The United States also condemned the resolution, with Ambassador Michèle Taylor expressing impatience with how Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has handled the conflict. She called for an immediate cease-fire and urged negotiations with Hamas.
In addition to calling for a halt in arms supplies to Israel, the resolution also tasks the U.N.’s independent commission of inquiry with reporting on the direct and indirect supply of arms to Israel and analyzing the legal consequences of those supplies. This move highlights the growing international pressure on Israel and its allies to address the ongoing conflict in the region.
