Photo credit: Al Monitor
The United States has vetoed a draft United Nations Security Council resolution that would have demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The Thursday veto would have demanded an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza and that Israel lift all restrictions on aid deliveries to the Palestinian enclave.
The text was drafted by the 10 elected members of the 15-member council. It would have also demanded the immediate, dignified and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.
It received 14 votes in favour. It would be the 6th time the US had cast a veto in the Security Council over the Gaza war.
Denmark’s UN Ambassador Christina Markus Lassen said, “Famine has been confirmed in Gaza – not projected, not declared, confirmed.
“Meanwhile, Israel has expanded its military operation in Gaza City, further deepening the suffering of civilians. As a result, it is this catastrophic situation, this humanitarian and human failure, that has compelled us to act today.”
The United States traditionally supports its ally Israel at the United Nations. But in a rare move last week, it backed a Security Council statement condemning recent strikes on Qatar. But the US move on Thursday showed that just a week later, Washington was again giving diplomatic protection to Israel.
US diplomat Morgan Ortagus told the council before the veto that, “Hamas is responsible for starting and continuing this war. Israel has accepted the proposed terms that end the war, but Hamas continues to reject them. This war could end today if Hamas freed the hostages and laid down its arms.”
Israel was unhappy with the Security Council statement on the strikes on Qatar. Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters on Thursday, “But I think overall, the level of cooperation with the US is so high that we were OK with that.”
