U.S. Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood votes against resolution during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, on April 18, 2024
| Photo Credit: AP

Palestinian militant group Hamas condemned on April 19 the U.S. veto that ended a long-shot Palestinian bid for full United Nations membership.

“Hamas condemns the American veto at the Security Council of the draft resolution granting Palestine full membership in the United Nations,” the Gaza Strip rulers said in a statement, which comes amid growing international concern over the toll inflicted by the war in the besieged Palestinian territory.

Iran-Israel Crisis updates April 19, 2024

The veto by Israel’s main ally and military backer had been expected ahead of the vote, which took place more than six months into Israel’s offensive in Gaza, in retaliation for the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas militants.

Twelve countries voted in favour of the draft resolution, which was introduced by Algeria and “recommends to the General Assembly that the State of Palestine be admitted to membership of the United Nations”. Britain and Switzerland abstained.

New Delhi:

Climate activist Greta Thunberg’s support for Gaza has drawn a sharp response from Israel. On Friday, Greta posted a picture on X, formerly Twitter, in which four activists, including herself, held placards expressing solidarity with Palestine and Gaza.

Reacting to Ms Thunberg’s post, Israel, through its official X handle, took a dig at the climate activist saying that Hamas doesn’t use sustainable materials for their rockets, “which have butchered innocent Israelis”.

“The victims of the Hamas massacre could have been your friends. Speak up,” the post added

Israel also used pictures of three 19-year-old Israelis, who were killed allegedly in a Hamas attack.

.@GretaThunberg, Hamas doesn’t use sustainable materials for their rockets which have BUTCHERED innocent Israelis .

The victims of the Hamas massacre could have been your friends.

Speak up. https://t.co/giHNJxeF6Npic.twitter.com/Z4orsm2UjD

— Israel ישראל ???????? (@Israel) October 20, 2023

The response came after Ms Thunberg, in her post, was seen with a placard that read, “Stand with Gaza.”

Another activist called for a “Free Palestine,” while two other women held placards with messages, “This Jew supports Palestine” and “Climate justice now!”

“Week 270. Today we strike in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected,” Greta Thunberg wrote in the caption.

Week 270. Today we strike in solidarity with Palestine and Gaza. The world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected.#FreePalestine#IStandWithPalestine#StandWithGaza#FridaysForFuture
Thread???? pic.twitter.com/0hVtya0yWO

— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) October 20, 2023

Some users, however, came to Ms Thunberg’s defense. They pointed out that her expression of support was for Gaza, not necessarily for Hamas. One user wrote, “Your subconscious and true ideals leaked. She said Gaza, not Hamas. This says a lot. good luck editing this next.”

your subconscious and true ideals leaked. she said gaza, not hamas. this says a lot. good luck editing this next.

— ashen ???? (@notashenone) October 20, 2023

Another person accused Israel of “playing the victim card.” 

Stop playing the victim card

— — GEROMAN — time will tell – ???? — (@GeromanAT) October 21, 2023

A user accused Israel of similar actions and brought up concerns about the environmental sustainability of the air and watercraft used by the IDF in the context of restricting movement and impacting Palestinians in the region. “The air and watercrafts used by the IDF to restrict movement and BUTCHER innocent Palestinians in the largest open-air prison for 75 years aren’t made of sustainable materials,” read the comment.

Ms Thunberg’s statement came 270 weeks after she initiated her Friday school strike, which later ignited the global school strikes movement.

Oh I can do this too.

The air and watercrafts used by the IDF to restrict movement and BUTCHER innocent Palestinians in the largest open air prison for 75 years aren’t made of sustainable materials.

— Talia Jane ‍???? (@taliaotg) October 20, 2023

The United Nations revealed that in just 10 days, around 4,200 people have lost their lives and more than a million people have been forced to leave their homes due to the Israel-Hamas war.