The UN General Assembly is voting today, June 12, 2025, on a resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, expected to pass with a large majority.
The resolution faces resistance from the U.S. and Israel, with Israel's ambassador calling it "pointless."
The vote is non-binding but carries significant political weight, following a U.S. veto in the Security Council last week.
The United Nations General Assembly, comprising 193 member states, is set to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza with a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire. This comes after the U.S. vetoed a similar resolution in the Security Council, highlighting international divisions.
The draft resolution not only calls for a ceasefire but also demands the release of all hostages seized on October 7, 2023, and urges Israel to end its blockade to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza. It condemns the use of starvation as warfare and emphasizes accountability for compliance with international law, reaffirming support for a two-state solution.
Despite expected approval, the U.S. and Israel oppose the resolution. Israel's ambassador has stated that the vote won't hinder efforts to bring hostages home, reflecting the controversy. Diplomats predict overwhelming support, given the General Assembly's historical stance.
On June 12, 2025, at 07:25 AM PDT (10:25 AM EDT), the United Nations General Assembly is poised to vote on a resolution demanding an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the event, drawing from multiple reputable news sources to ensure accuracy and depth, reflecting the latest available information as of this time.
The vote, scheduled for today, Thursday, June 12, 2025, follows a U.S. veto of a similar resolution in the Security Council a week prior, on June 4, 2025, as reported by UN News. The General Assembly, unlike the Security Council, does not have veto powers, making it a platform where resolutions can pass with a simple majority, though they remain non-binding and carry significant political weight.
The draft resolution, as detailed in France24, includes several key demands:
An immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
The immediate and unconditional release of all hostages seized on October 7, 2023.
A call for Israel to end its blockade and ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza.
Condemnation of the use of starvation as a method of warfare and unlawful denial of humanitarian access.
Stress on the need for accountability to ensure Israel's compliance with international law, including measures short of explicit sanctions.
Reiteration of commitment to a two-state solution.
This resolution is expected to be voted on by the 193-member General Assembly, with diplomats anticipating overwhelming approval, as noted in AP News. Historical data supports this, with previous votes in October and December 2023 showing strong support, with 120 and 153 votes in favor, respectively, according to CBC News.
The resolution faces significant resistance from the United States and Israel, aligning with the user's mention of U.S. and Israeli opposition. Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, described the vote as "pointless," stating in France24 that "no resolution, no vote... will stand in our way" in efforts to bring hostages home. This reflects the contentious nature of the issue, with Israel and the U.S. viewing the resolution as unhelpful to their strategic goals.
The U.S. veto in the Security Council last week, as reported by UN News, underscores this resistance, highlighting the diplomatic divide. The General Assembly's vote, therefore, serves as a platform for expressing international opinion, particularly from nations traditionally supportive of Palestinians, as noted in Reuters.
Media coverage, including The Times of Israel, has framed the vote as a "charade" from Israel's perspective, emphasizing the non-binding nature and political signaling. Public reaction, inferred from news reports, shows a mix of support for ceasefire efforts and criticism of the resolution's effectiveness, given its lack of legal enforceability.
This vote follows a pattern of General Assembly actions on Gaza, with previous resolutions in 2023 and 2024 passing with significant majorities, as seen in Al Jazeera and Wikipedia. For instance, on December 12, 2024, a resolution was approved by 158 votes in favor, with nine against and 13 abstentions, indicating strong international support for ceasefire demands.
To organize the wealth of information, the following tables summarize key details and responses:
Detail | Information |
---|---|
Voting Body | United Nations General Assembly (193 members) |
Date of Vote | Thursday, June 12, 2025 |
Resolution Key Points | - Immediate, unconditional, permanent ceasefire - Release of hostages - End blockade, ensure aid - Condemn starvation as warfare - Accountability for compliance - Support two-state solution |
Expected Outcome | Overwhelming approval, based on diplomatic expectations and historical votes |
Legal Status | Non-binding, carries political weight |
Previous Similar Votes | Oct 2023: 120 in favor; Dec 2023: 153 in favor; Dec 2024: 158 in favor |
Opposition | Details |
---|---|
United States | Vetoed similar resolution in Security Council on June 4, 2025 |
Israel | Ambassador Danon calls vote "pointless," opposes resolution |
Context | Reflects diplomatic divide, with U.S. and Israel viewing resolution as unhelpful |
This incident underscores the complexities of international diplomacy on the Gaza conflict, with the General Assembly serving as a platform for expressing global opinion amidst U.S. and Israeli resistance.