Leslie Massey
Austria's rejection of the UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza has raised questions about the coherence of its government's policy and cooperation within its coalition. Austria was one of only four countries in the EU to vote against the resolution, which called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Palestinians. The resolution did not condemn the Hamas attack on Israel, and Austria's vote created the impression of its isolation, along with Israel and the US. The Austrian government has defended its decision, stressing that it could not support a resolution that did not include Israel's right to self-defence and a condemnation of Hamas' actions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of vote | 12 December 2023 |
| Number of countries that voted against the resolution | 10 |
| Austria's vote | Against |
| Austria's coalition government unified in decision? | No |
| Austria's proposed amendment to resolution | To add "held by Hamas and other groups" after "hostages" |
| Austria's amendment votes | 89 for, 61 against, 20 abstentions |
| Outcome of Austria's amendment vote | Failed to get two-thirds majority |
| Outcome of resolution vote | Passed with 153 votes for, 10 against, 23 abstentions |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria's rejection of the UN resolution raised questions about the coherence of government policy
- Austria's vote created the impression of isolation, with only 14 countries voting against the resolution
- Austria's amendment to the resolution failed to get a two-thirds majority vote
- Austria's support is important to Israel, but comprehensive international cooperation is needed
- Austria's vote was likely influenced by the country's history and diplomatic ties with Israel
Austria's rejection of the UN resolution raised questions about the coherence of government policy
Austria's rejection of the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza has raised questions about the coherence of its government's policy. The resolution, introduced by Arab countries, did not receive Austria's support due to its failure to condemn the Hamas attack on Israel. This voting behaviour placed Austria in a position of isolation, along with Israel and the United States, as only 14 countries voted against the resolution.
Austria's decision has sparked internal debate within its government, with the Green Party's foreign policy spokesperson, Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic, stating that the decision to vote against the resolution was not agreed upon within the coalition. She expressed that an abstention, as chosen by Germany, would have been a more appropriate course of action. Ernst-Dziedzic justified her stance by citing the resolution's lack of recognition of Israel's right to self-defence and its omission to condemn Hamas.
Austria's Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, defended the government's decision, emphasising that Austria could not endorse a resolution that neglected to include Israel's right to self-defence and a condemnation of Hamas' actions. Additionally, domestic political considerations may have influenced the decision, as the ÖVP is currently trailing behind the far-right FPÖ in polls. Strongly supporting Israel could be a strategic move to regain voters who are outraged by the rise of antisemitism in Austria.
The Austrian government's rejection of the UN resolution has prompted inquiries into the consistency of its policies and cooperation within the coalition. This decision has also impacted its diplomatic relations, as Israel welcomed Austria's support while facing challenges in managing relations with countries that supported the resolution. The international community's reaction to Austria's stance has been mixed, with some countries showing understanding, while others have criticised the decision as contradicting international efforts to establish peace and stability in the region.
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Austria's vote created the impression of isolation, with only 14 countries voting against the resolution
Austria's vote against the UN resolution for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza created the impression of isolation, with only 14 countries voting against the resolution. The resolution, co-sponsored by Jordan and Turkey, condemned all violent acts against Palestinian and Israeli civilians and all forms of terrorism and indiscriminate violence. Austria's vote went against the broad approval of the resolution, which passed with 153 votes in favour, 23 abstentions, and 10 countries, including the US, Israel, and Austria, voting against.
Austria's decision to vote against the resolution raised questions within its government, with the foreign policy spokesperson of the Greens, Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic, stating that the decision had "not been agreed upon" within the coalition. She argued that an abstention, as chosen by Germany, would have been more appropriate. Austria's vote isolated it from many countries and organisations that supported the resolution, although some showed understanding for Austria's position.
Austria's rejection of the resolution can be understood in the context of its diplomatic relations with Israel. Austria and Israel established diplomatic ties in 1950, and Austria has historically taken a pro-Israel stance. Chancellor Karl Nehammer defended the government's decision, stressing that Austria could not support a resolution that did not include Israel's right to self-defence and condemnation of Hamas' actions.
The vote against the resolution also had domestic political considerations. The ÖVP, a party in Austria's government, was lagging behind the far-right FPÖ in the polls, and strongly supporting Israel could have been an attempt to win back voters outraged about the increase in antisemitism in the country.
Overall, Austria's vote against the UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza isolated it from the majority of countries that supported the resolution. This decision raised questions about the coherence of Austria's government policy and cooperation within its coalition.
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Austria's amendment to the resolution failed to get a two-thirds majority vote
Austria's rejection of the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip has raised questions within the Austrian government and the international community. The resolution was presented by Egypt with the support of nearly 100 countries and passed with 153 votes in favour, 10 against, and 23 abstentions. Austria was one of only four EU countries, including the US, Israel, and the Czech Republic, to vote against the resolution.
Austria's proposed amendment to the resolution aimed to condemn the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and clarify that the hostages were "held by Hamas and other groups." However, this amendment failed to receive the required two-thirds majority vote for approval. The amendment received 89 votes in favour, 61 against, and 20 abstentions, falling short of the supermajority threshold.
The Austrian government's decision to vote against the resolution and propose an amendment condemning Hamas has been controversial. The foreign policy spokesperson of the Greens, Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic, stated that the decision to vote against the resolution had "not been agreed upon" within the coalition and that an abstention would have been more appropriate. She emphasised the lack of recognition of Israel's right to self-defence and the lack of condemnation of Hamas as reasons for Austria's stance.
On the other hand, Chancellor Karl Nehammer defended the government's decision, arguing that Austria could not support a resolution that did not include Israel's right to self-defence and a condemnation of Hamas' actions. The Israeli government has welcomed Austria's support while stressing the need for a united international stance against terrorist groups such as Hamas. However, Austria's voting behaviour has created an impression of isolation, as only 14 countries voted against the resolution initially.
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Austria's support is important to Israel, but comprehensive international cooperation is needed
Austria's rejection of the UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza has raised questions about the coherence of its government's policy and cooperation within its coalition. Austria was one of only four countries in the EU to vote against the resolution, which called for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for Palestinians. The resolution did not condemn the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, which Austria, along with the US, proposed to include in the resolution.
Austria's vote against the resolution can be understood in the context of its diplomatic ties with Israel, which were established in 1950. Relations between the two countries have been complex, with Austria's role in the Second World War and its failure to acknowledge its involvement in the crimes of the Nazi regime. In 1986, when Kurt Waldheim, a former Wehrmacht officer, won the presidential election, Israel recalled its ambassador. More recently, the Austrian Chancellor, Karl Nehammer, visited Israel to show support after a deadly terrorist attack. The Austrian government has defended its decision to vote against the resolution, stressing that it could not support a resolution that did not include Israel's right to self-defence and a condemnation of Hamas' actions.
While Austria's support is important to Israel, the broader context of international cooperation is crucial for achieving long-term stability in the region. The Israeli government faces the challenge of managing diplomatic relations with countries that supported the resolution while also ensuring the security of its population. It is a delicate balance between diplomatic pressure and decisive action against terrorist threats. The broad approval of the resolution in the UN General Assembly highlights the international community's growing attention to the needs of Palestinians and their increasing criticism of Israel's stance in the conflict with Hamas.
The UN resolution, which was adopted with an overwhelming majority of 153 votes in favour, 10 against, and 23 abstentions, demonstrates the international community's stance on the conflict. Despite being non-binding, the resolution carries political weight and serves as an indicator of global opinion. It remains to be seen how Israel will navigate the diplomatic landscape and whether it can secure more unified international support for its position.
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Austria's vote was likely influenced by the country's history and diplomatic ties with Israel
Austria's vote against a ceasefire in Gaza was surprising to many, given its status as a neutral country that is not part of NATO. However, the country's history and diplomatic ties with Israel likely influenced its decision.
Austria and Israel have had a complex relationship since the end of World War II. Austria, which was annexed by Nazi Germany during the war, was home to prominent Nazis, including Adolf Hitler himself. After the war, Israel initially sought to have Austria acknowledge its role in the crimes of the Nazi regime. However, by 1950, Israel had given up on this pursuit and established diplomatic ties with Austria. This history has, at times, caused tension between the two countries, such as when Israel recalled its ambassador after Kurt Waldheim, a former Wehrmacht officer, was elected president of Austria in 1986.
More recently, Austria's vote against the UN resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza may have been motivated by a desire to show strong support for Israel. The Austrian government, led by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, defended its decision by stressing that the resolution did not include Israel's right to self-defense and condemnation of Hamas' actions. This stance was echoed by the far-right FPÖ, which strongly supports Israel and has criticised the increase of antisemitism in Austria. By voting against the resolution, the Austrian government may have been attempting to win over voters who share these sentiments.
Additionally, Austria's vote can be understood in the context of its domestic political considerations. The ruling ÖVP party is currently lagging behind the far-right FPÖ in the polls. By strongly supporting Israel, the ÖVP may have been seeking to appeal to voters who share the FPÖ's pro-Israel stance.
Overall, while Austria's vote against a ceasefire in Gaza may seem contradictory to its neutral stance, it is likely influenced by the country's complex history with Israel and its desire to maintain strong diplomatic ties. The vote also reflects the domestic political landscape and the government's attempt to appeal to certain voter bases.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria voted against the resolution because it did not include Israel's right to self-defence and a condemnation of Hamas' actions.
The resolution was a UN resolution, co-sponsored by Jordan and Turkey, that condemned "all violent acts against Palestinian and Israeli civilians and all forms of terrorism and indiscriminate violence".
The resolution was passed by a large majority, with 153 votes in favour, 10 against, and 23 abstentions.
The vote created the impression of isolation of Austria, Israel, and the United States, as only 14 countries voted against the resolution. While some countries showed understanding, others criticised Austria's rejection of the resolution, stating that it was not in line with international efforts to bring peace and stability to the region.
Yes, the foreign policy spokesperson of the Greens, Ewa Ernst-Dziedzic, stated that the decision to vote against the resolution had "not been agreed upon" within the coalition and that an abstention would have been more appropriate. However, the Greens later rowed back on this statement, saying that "the government is completely unified".
