UK abstention in UN vote on Gaza ceasefire condemned as ‘incomprehensible’

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There has been mixed reaction after the UK chose to abstain from the vote on a UAE-drafted resolution at Friday’s UN Security Council meeting, which called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

The resolution calling for an urgent cessation of hostilities was ultimately blocked by a veto from the US, despite receiving support from 13 of the council’s 15 members.

Commenting on the UK’s decision to abstain, Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf described it as “incomprehensible”.

The resolution came in response to the situation in Gaza, which UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres called a “humanitarian catastrophe”.

Mr Guterres emphasised the imminent threat of starvation and the potential for mass displacement, painting a grave picture of the crisis.

The abstention was defended by Dame Barbara Woodward, UK ambassador to the UN, who said Britain backs “further and longer pauses” to get aid to Palestinians and to allow the release of Israeli hostages.

She said the UK “cannot vote in favour of a resolution which does not condemn the atrocities Hamas committed against innocent Israeli civilians” on October 7.

“Calling for a ceasefire ignores the fact that Hamas has committed acts of terror and is still holding civilians hostage,” she added.

The ambassador said the “continuing acts of terror and the hostage situation” were pivotal concerns.

But the abstention drew much criticism.

Mr Yousaf said he agreed with criticism by Save the Children UK of Britain’s move, and voiced his “disbelief and disappointment”.