‘Inhumane’: US Blocks Security Council Resolution Call for Gaza Ceasefire Again
On Friday, 13 Security Council members supported a draft resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates, while Britain chose to abstain, and the United States, siding with Israel's aggression, wielded its veto power, leaving itself isolated.
Deputy UAE UN Ambassador Mohamed Abushahab raised a poignant question during the council session, asking, "What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza?"
The United States and the Israeli regime have consistently opposed a ceasefire, asserting that it would only benefit Hamas. Instead, Washington advocates for brief pauses in fighting, ostensibly to protect civilians and secure the release of captives taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack on Israeli-occupied territories.
The seven-day pause, which saw Hamas release some hostages and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, concluded on December 1.
Despite the spiraling humanitarian nightmare in Gaza, characterized by relentless bombardments, a siege, and a ground offensive by Israel, the Security Council has been ineffective in taking meaningful action.
“There is no effective protection of civilians,” Guterres told the council earlier on Friday. “The people of Gaza are being told to move like human pinballs – ricocheting between ever-smaller slivers of the south, without any of the basics for survival. But nowhere in Gaza is safe.”
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In Washington, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told reporters earlier on Friday that if the Security Council failed to adopt the resolution, “it is giving Israel a license to continue with its massacre of Palestinians in Gaza”.
The US's veto has raised serious questions about its commitment to human rights and its role in perpetuating the suffering of the Palestinian people.
Hamas slams US
The Hamas Resistance movement has strongly slammed Washington for blocking the resolution.
“The US's blocking of this resolution amounts to active involvement in the loss of lives in our nation and contributes to further crimes and acts of genocide in Gaza,” Izzat al-Rishq, a member of the Hamas political bureau said.
“Such a stance is both immoral and inhumane,” he stressed.
History of US’s vetos in support of Israeli occupation
Friday's vote marks the 35th instance where the United States exercised its veto power at the UN Security Council to support Israel.
It also represents the second US veto since the commencement of the Israeli war on Gaza. Previously, on October 18, the US blocked a resolution condemning Hamas's attack on Israel while urging a temporary cessation of hostilities for humanitarian aid to reach the Palestinian enclave.
Several significant UN resolutions were thwarted by the US over the years:
- After the Great March of Return in 2018, the UNSC proposed a resolution denouncing "the use of any excessive, disproportionate, and indiscriminate force by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians." It called for a "lasting, comprehensive peace" between "two democratic states, Israel and Palestine." The US vetoed this resolution.
- In 2017, following the US recognition of al-Quds as Israel's capital, a draft resolution declared that actions altering the character, status, or demographic composition of al-Quds had no legal effect and were null and void. It demanded the determination of Jerusalem's status in line with UN regulations. All 15 UNSC members voted in favor, except the US, which vetoed it.
- Amidst the second Intifada or uprising that commenced in 2000, a UNSC resolution expressed "grave concern at the continuation of the tragic and violent events" since September 2000. It condemned attacks against civilians and urged Israel "to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations and responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva Convention." Despite 12 countries voting in favor, the US vetoed the resolution.
Source: Agencies
