An emergency special meeting called “Israel’s illegal activities in East Jerusalem and the rest of the occupied territories” was held at the U.N. General Assembly on the 27th (Friday) and a resolution to “protect civilians and comply with legal and humanitarian obligations” was adopted, but our government reportedly abstained. The reason for the abstention was that the resolution “condemn Hamas’ terrorist act and the release of hostages” was not included. The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy issued a statement on the 30th, saying, “I condemn our government for rejecting a U.N. General Assembly resolution to prevent significant humanitarian disasters and civilian deaths in Palestine.”
According to the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, the ceasefire resolution included ▲ guaranteeing humanitarian access to Gaza ▲ withdrawing Israel’s order to evacuate northern Gaza ▲ immediate and unconditional release of all civilians detained illegally. The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy criticized, “The Yoon Suk Yeoln government is hiding behind the logic and double standards of the current camp that emphasizes ‘freedom and democracy, the rule of law and human rights,'” adding, “As a country that will take over as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council from next year, it has abandoned its minimum responsibility. The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy also pointed out, “Our government abstained on the UN Human Rights Council’s 2014 resolution to investigate Israel’s attack on Gaza, the UN General Assembly’s 2018 resolution to condemn the use of Israeli force, the 2018 resolution calling for an end to arms sales to Israel, and the UN Human Rights Council’s 2021 investigation into Gaza.”
Since Israel’s invasion of Gaza in 2014, South Korea’s arms exports to Israel have reportedly continued to increase. The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy claimed, “Palestine and Israelis are suffering endlessly while arms companies are using the vicious cycle of violence as a means of making money because of the arms trade between South Korea and Israel.” The People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy said, “We strongly oppose the Korean government to become a conspirator of the Israeli government’s slaughter of civilians,” and urged, “Our government should stop slaughtering Israel in Palestine and participate responsibly in the international community’s efforts to prepare countermeasures.”
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
