Nov 24, 2025
Israel and the United States have come under fire after voting against a United Nations resolution reaffirming the absolute prohibition of torture. The vote, held during the 80th session of the General Assembly last week, saw 169 nations support the measure. Only three states opposed: the US, Israel, and Argentina.
The UN General Assembly resolution against torture was rejected by only three countries: the US, Israel, and Argentina, who remind the world that they oppose even the most basic principles of humanity. pic.twitter.com/r7aPIxdCJ7
— Jason Hickel (@jasonhickel) November 23, 2025
The resolution reaffirms the absolute prohibition of torture under international law and renews calls for all states to prevent torture, aid victims, and hold perpetrators accountable.
The Israeli government’s vote against the resolution comes amid extensive documentation of its use of torture, particularly against Palestinians. Human rights groups, including B’Tselem and Human Rights Watch, have long accused Israel of subjecting detainees to beatings, stress positions, sleep deprivation and other coercive tactics, often targeting minors. The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) has recorded hundreds of complaints, most of which are closed without investigation.
UN documents and testimonies confirm that Palestinian prisoners, including children, are frequently held without charge under administrative detention, interrogated without legal counsel, and subjected to solitary confinement and abuse.
The resolution reiterates that “no one shall be subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,” and affirms this as a non-derogable right under international law—even during armed conflict or states of emergency. It also calls on states not to transfer individuals to countries where they may face torture, a point particularly salient given Israel’s practice of detaining Palestinians in facilities inside Israel in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Israel’s opposition to the resolution sparked an online backlash. “Three countries – the United States, Israel, and Argentina – vote against a UN General Assembly resolution aimed at preventing and ending this use of torture” said Professor Mark Kersten in a tweet with over 4 million views.
“These resolutions used to be adopted unanimously. What does it say when these states oppose any opposition to torture?”
Three countries – the United States, Israel, and Argentina – vote against a UN General Assembly resolution aimed at preventing and ending this use of torture.
These resolutions used to be adopted unanimously. What does it say when these states oppose any opposition to torture? pic.twitter.com/IYOem1ah4E
— Mark Kersten || @markkersten.bsky.social (@MarkKersten) November 21, 2025
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