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Jimmy Williams
In a contentious move, the United States vetoed a United Nations (UN) resolution on Friday, backed by a majority of Security Council members, urging an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza conflict. The vote was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining, highlighting a growing divide between Washington and some close allies over Israel’s prolonged bombing of Gaza. France and Japan joined others supporting the call for a ceasefire.
Foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey visited Washington to persuade the Biden administration to shift its stance. However, their meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken occurred after the UN vote, underlining the tense diplomatic situation.
The US Deputy Ambassador, Robert Wood, criticized the resolution as “imbalanced” and accused the council of failing to condemn a previous attack by Hamas on Israel. Wood argued that an immediate ceasefire would allow Hamas to continue controlling Gaza and potentially lead to future conflicts. The UK’s decision to abstain further highlighted the complexity of the international response to the conflict.
The UN resolution aimed to address the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where more than 17,400 people, including 70% women and children, have been killed in the Israeli military campaign. The Health Ministry in Gaza reported over 46,000 wounded individuals and significant damage to infrastructure. The resolution sought to alleviate the crisis and prevent a collapse of the humanitarian support system.
While critics argue that the US veto places responsibility on Washington for protecting Israel, the US contends that a ceasefire should not be pursued immediately. The Biden administration, in opposition to the resolution, emphasizes the need to recognize Israel’s right to defend itself and highlights Hamas’s lack of interest in a lasting peace.
In response to the US veto, the UAE diplomat, Mohamed Abushaha, expressed deep disappointment, stating that the Security Council appeared “untethered” from its mandate to ensure international peace and security. Ambassador Nicolas De Rivière of France lamented the lack of unity and urged for an immediate and lasting humanitarian truce.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, warning of a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza and urging the council to demand a ceasefire. Guterres highlighted the dire situation in Gaza, with widespread Israeli attacks causing substantial damage to essential facilities and displacing over 85% of the population.
The US veto has sparked criticism from various quarters, with some condemning it as a failure to address war crimes and ensure the protection of civilians. The situation remains complex, with no immediate resolution in sight for the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
The conflict continues to draw global attention, and the UN faces challenges in finding a consensus that addresses the humanitarian crisis while recognizing the security concerns of all parties involved.
