Canada Explains Support for UN Resolution on Israel-Hamas That Doesn’t Condemn Hamas

Bob Rae, ambassador and permanent representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York, speaks to reporters in New York on April 28, 2023. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada has supported a United Nations resolution on the Israel-Hamas conflict which does not condemn Hamas, while explaining that its stance on the issue has not changed.

The Canadian government was criticized by Israel and Jewish community advocates, who said Canada has backed a one-sided resolution that departs from Canada’s previous stance.

Canada voted in favour of a UN resolution on June 12 titled “Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations.”

The resolution calls for ending the blockade on the Gaza Strip, opening all border crossings, ensuring that humanitarian aid can reach the civilian population, and the release of all hostages. The vote passed 149 in favour to 12 against, with 19 abstentions.

The United States was one of the countries voting against, calling it a “biased” resolution that “marks yet another failure on the part of the United Nations to condemn Hamas.”

Canada had abstained from supporting a similar UN resolution in September 2024.

The Canadian government explained its decision to vote in favour of the June 12 resolution, saying there is an “urgent need” for a cease-fire, for the release of all hostages, and for the resumption of aid delivery by the United Nations.

“This being said, we are very disappointed that this resolution does not condemn Hamas’ horrific terrorist attacks on October 7, 2023, and their taking of hostages—many of whom still remain in captivity,” the government said in its statement.

Ottawa added that Hamas must disarm and cannot have a role in the future governance of the Gaza Strip, while adding that its support for the UN resolution “does not deviate from our unwavering support for Israel’s security.”

Israel has been conducting military operations in the Gaza Strip since the terrorist group Hamas conducted raids inside Israel in 2023. The operations have caused a humanitarian crisis, and in recent weeks Israel has sought to control the delivery of assistance to Palestinians, saying that Hamas had been hijacking aid provided through international NGOs.

Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the UN, said Canada voted in favour of the resolution because the country remains committed to a two-state solution. “We believe the day in which two states can live side by side must come soon, a day when we can say shalom and salam together, in peace and security,” he said.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) said Canada’s vote marked a “significant departure” from its previous position at the UN. The group noted in a statement the same points acknowledged by Ottawa, such as that the resolution does not ask Hamas to disarm or recognize Israel’s right to self-defence.

“As Canadians, we should always choose moral clarity over conformity,” said Noah Shack, CIJA’s interim president.

“The Government of Canada was right to reject a similarly flawed resolution last September and wrong to betray these important principles in today’s vote.”

Rabbi Saul Emanuel, executive director of the Jewish Community Council of Montréal, expressed similar concerns, calling Canada’s vote a “disgrace.”

The vote came a day before Israel launched strikes against Iran’s military leadership and nuclear program. Top Iranian generals and scientist were killed in the attacks. Iran has responded by firing ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, with most being intercepted.

In response, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said de-escalation “must be the priority.”