The UN General Assembly. Photo via Canva Pro. On the evening of October 27, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution calling for an “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” between Israeli forces and Hamas militants in Gaza, and for the “protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations.” The resolution was carried by 120 votes to 14, with 45 abstentions. Jamaica was the only Caribbean nation that did not vote, and the response from many Jamaicans to this news was overwhelmingly negative. On X (formerly Twitter), the Barbados-based current affairs account Kevz Politics broke down the voting, pointing out that while Haiti abstained, 12 other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states supported the resolution. Outside CARICOM, Cuba and the Dominican Republic also voted for it. Jamaica was among 13 non-voting countries (mostly African, but also including Venezuela): #BREAKING – UN General Assembly adopts resolution put forward by Jordan on “protection of civilians & upholding legal and humanitarian obligations” in Gaza crisis. 120 voted in favour 45 abstained 14 voted against 12 CARICOM states voted in favour… pic.twitter.com/NptExXI5AC — Kevz Politics (@KevzPolitics) October 27, 2023 Responding to a post from Minister of Foreign Affairs Kamina Johnson Smith, which sought to explain that Jamaica welcomed the vote, but had not had time to conclude “consultations” beforehand, human rights advocate Susan Goffe expressed the feelings of many: Dear Minister @kaminajsmith, we are the only Caricom country with a vote at the UN not to have registered a vote on this resolution. It is more than regrettable. It is shameful. #Jamaica https://t.co/mMKN0KcDSa — Susan Goffe (@suezeecue) October 28, 2023 Minister Johnson Smith also pointed out that, as Chair of the CARICOM Caucus at the United Nations, Jamaica (represented by Permanent Representative Brian Wallace) had spoken at the UN vote and shared its statement on behalf of the entire Caribbean Community. As the UN News website noted, Ambassador Wallace said, “If we do not immediately put an end to conflict, it could escalate into a wider regional war.” He also expressed concerns about the implications for international stability, with devastating consequences, particularly for small, vulnerable island states such as those in CARICOM, which are “already struggling to overcome multi-faceted challenges.” He pleaded with the nations to “recognize once and for all the utter futility of war, violence and terror,” reaffirming CARICOM's continued support for UN Security Council resolution 242, which calls for accelerated efforts for a peaceful and lasting resolution to the conflict. One Jamaican sarcastically posted on X: First time I’ve ever seen the “apologies, we were running on Jamaica time” excuse deployed at the highest level of international diplomacy. https://t.co/5lWF3dwblo — Nick Black (@Jcanguy) October 27, 2023 Jamaican businesswoman and philanthropist Jean Lowrie-Chin expressed regret: Relieved to know this but feel badly that Jamaica, always in the vanguard for human rights, missed that vote. https://t.co/yDVMsyli7I — J A Lowrie-Chin 🇯🇲 🙏🏽 (@LowrieChin) October 28, 2023 Many Jamaicans were not impressed, expressing varying degrees of disapproval and even anger, saying it was “not a good look.” Referring to a statement by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, condemning the Hamas attack the day after it happened, attorney and public commentator Clyde Williams wanted answers: Why not? didn’t JA attend? We abstained? I guess it’s better than voting against. The GoJ, prematurely, bereft of historical context & emotional intelligence, mumbled some wrds (best forgotten) when the conflict broke. That ill-conceived posture hemmed in Jamaica. https://t.co/A4vVOEd05r — Clyde Williams (@ClydeWilliams46) October 28, 2023 “Jamaica firmly believes that the use of violence and terror has no place in international relations and should never be used against innocent civilians,” Holness said. “We call for a cessation of hostilities, a return to peace within internationally agreed guidelines and the pursuit of diplomatic solutions.” His statement did not include any comment on the struggles of the Palestinian people in Gaza over the years.