The Republic of Cyprus abstained from Jordan’s resolution at the UN General Assembly, which calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.

The same position was held by the Greek government, while Israel and the US voted against it. The resolution, however, was approved with 120 votes in favor, 14 against, and 45 abstentions.

Greece remains consistent in its principled foreign policy and, since the crisis in the Middle East broke out, it has maintained a balanced stance, respecting the principles and values ​​of international law, as a force of stability in the wider region, highlighting the obligation to protect civilians and create humanitarian routes, diplomatic sources note.

As the same sources point out, this was the reason it abstained from voting for the approval of a relevant draft resolution of Arab countries within the framework of the United Nations.

Regarding the vote, diplomatic sources point out the following:

1. Abstention in the context of the UN is by no means equivalent to a vote against it. On the contrary, the country is not counted among those present, thus facilitating the achievement of a qualified two-thirds majority.
2. Greece joined the majority of European Union countries: 15 countries abstained against 8 which voted in favor and 4 which voted against.
3. Greece has been creative by proposing, during internal proceedings, certain interventions, which could have facilitated the wider majority.
4. Greece voted in favor of Canada’s amendment for the explicit condemnation of the terrorist act by Hamas, with the adoption of which it would be possible to pass the resolution by all countries. Eventually, although it voted with the majority, it did not reach the required two-thirds majority (88 in favor and 55 against).

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