114 votes were made in favour of adopting the Resolution, 18 were opposed and 44 stated abstained from the vote.

“It is absolutely disgraceful that the British government abstained from voting on the Goldstone Report. Judge Goldstone is a renowned international figure dealing with post-conflict justice for victims, and despite this Report being highly critical of both sides in the conflict, our government has once again swayed under the pressure of Israel and the pro-Israeli lobby. In light of the level of suffering that the people of Gaza have endured, this decision of the British government is made all the more appalling,” stated Ismail Patel, Chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa.

The resolution calls on the UN Security Council to take action in the event that either Israel or the Palestinians fail to launch credible investigations into allegations of war crimes within three months. Once this period has expired, the Resolution is likely to be passed to the Security Council where it can be defeated by the states wielding veto powers.

The US, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and the Czech Republic all voted against the Resolution, while Britain and France were amongst those who abstained.

A Friends of Al-Aqsa Report