It is known that Hamas, a Palestine-based militant group, launched a series of coordinated attacks towards the south of Israel from the Gaza Strip. With over 1000 civilians dying and many hostages taken by Hamas, including foreign nationals, World leaders were quick to respond to these attacks. The West gave overwhelming support to Israel and reinforced the retaliation as ‘self-defence.’ The countries of the Islamic World expressed support towards Palestine and held Israeli occupation responsible for the escalation of violence. US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed their desire to visit Israel to express solidarity after the October 7 attack. It is worth noting that many countries have pushed for a ceasefire and de-escalation from both sides. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/21 expresses this sentiment, passing the Resolution calling for an immediate and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities on October 27, 2023.
The United Nations has faced much criticism for the inability to do more from their side to push for a ceasefire. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a speech at the UN Security Council, condemned the October 7 attacks by Hamas and the kidnapping of civilians. He also acknowledged how “the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum. The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation. They have seen their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled; their people displaced and their homes demolished. Their hopes for a political solution to their plight have been vanishing.” He demanded upholding international laws in place for the conduct of military operations. He also mourned the death of the UN colleagues working on the ground who lost their lives. He did not, however, mention that the 35 UN workers who were killed were by virtue of Israeli airstrikes. He finally proposed what he believed was the best solution to the problem - “Even in this moment of grave and immediate danger, we cannot lose sight of the only realistic foundation for a true peace and stability: a two-state solution.”
The G7 (which constituted Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union) released a joint statement that mentioned their condemnation of the “terror attacks by Hamas and others across Israel that began on October 7, 2023, as well as ongoing missile attacks against Israel. We emphasise Israel’s right to defend itself and its people in accordance with international law as it seeks to prevent a recurrence.” They further expressed “the need for urgent action to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza” and promised $500 million aid for the Palestinian people. They also reiterated how “a two-state solution, which envisions Israel and a viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace, security, and mutual recognition, remains the only path to a just, lasting, and secure peace.” The US, in particular, has remained a staunch supporter of Israel and critical of Palestine. American President, Joe Biden, mentioned how “the US will not support negotiations for a ceasefire until Hamas has released the hostages it took.”
The Arab League has shown support towards Palestine and stated how “Israel’s continued implementation of violent and extremist policies is a time bomb depriving the region of any serious opportunity for stability in the foreseeable future.” In a surprising statement, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov emphasised how “it goes without saying that we always call for restraint.” India, via the Prime Minister, expressed shock at the news of the Hamas attacks and expressed solidarity towards Israel. After much criticism from citizens for deviating from historical support towards Palestine, the Prime Minister showed concern for the well-being of the Palestinian civilians. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-10/21 was finally passed with 121 votes for the resolution, with 44 abstentions and just 14 votes against it. It is worth noting that Israel voted against the resolution, when Palestine did not even have the right to vote. Palestine only got official statehood recognition from the UN on 29 November 2012 as a Non-Member Observer Nation. Israel, on the other hand, was admitted into the UN as a full member state on 11 May 1949.
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