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UN General Assembly To Vote On Resolution Condemning Hamas Terrorism

A resolution to condemn the Hamas terrorist group that rules the Gaza Strip is expected to be circulated within the General Assembly on Thursday, the anniversary of the November 29, 1947 Partition Plan that called for the creation in British Mandatory Palestine of two states, one Jewish and the other Arab. Despite the Arab world’s rejection of the proposal—whereas the Jewish people accepted it—and the subsequent Arab war of aggression that ensued shortly thereafter, the UN has declared the date as “International day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people.” The symbolic motion against Hamas reportedly has the Palestinians on their heels, as Israel and the United States have been intensively lobbying countries to vote in favor of the move. The resolution, which comes after seven months of violence along the Gaza border nearly descended into full-blown conflict, censures Hamas’ rocket attacks on civilian populations; its launch of incendiary devices into southern Israel that has devastated the surrounding ecosystem; and the diverting of resources and international aid towards military rather than humanitarian aims. “This resolution is causing some noise,” Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon asserted, adding that “everyone is used to resolutions against Israel in the General Assembly and suddenly here is one against Hamas.” The diplomat described the resolution a “win-win,” even though its wording is liable to be watered down to encourage passage between now and when it is brought a vote as early as tomorrow. In response, Hamas leader Ismael Haniyyeh sent an open letter to UNGA member states contending that targeting Israeli population centers with missiles is permissible under international law and denouncing the Jewish state’s “occupation” that spans “more than seven decades,” meaning since its establishment in 1948. Israel unilaterally uprooted every man, woman, child and soldier from Gaza in 2005, a move that led to Hamas’ emergence.