India’s support for the UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Palestine

India has voted in favor of a UN resolution condemning Israel’s settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territories including East Jerusalem and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

NDTV said that the vote was held last Thursday. The United States and Canada were among the seven countries that voted against the resolution. 18 countries abstained from voting.

However, India abstained from voting on another UN resolution a week ago calling for an “immediate credible and sustainable humanitarian ceasefire” in the Israel-Hamas conflict around Gaza.

Explaining India’s abstention on the resolution, government officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told PTI that India is concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but also believes that no outrage can be expressed against terrorism.

“The UNGA resolution did not include any clear condemnation of the October 7 terrorist attack. An amendment was moved to include this aspect before the vote on the original resolution.”

India voted in favor of the amendment. Although 88 votes were cast in favor of the amendment proposal, the required two-thirds majority was not obtained to pass the proposal.

“We abstained from voting as the final resolution did not include all the elements we raised,” the official said.

India’s Deputy Permanent Representative Yojana Patel said of Delhi’s stance on the Palestinian and Gaza vote, “We are concerned about those who have been taken hostage.” We call for their immediate and unconditional release. This humanitarian crisis needs to be resolved. We welcome the international community’s efforts to de-escalate and deliver humanitarian relief assistance to the residents of Gaza. India has also contributed to this effort.

“India has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. That will lead to the establishment of a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian state living in peace with Israel as well as within secure and recognized borders.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the attack by Hamas in Israel on October 7 as the activities of ‘terrorists’. India has also made clear its unequivocal support to Israel.