UNITED NATIONS: The United States on Tuesday vetoed a UN Security Council resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, even as President Joe Biden faced mounting pressure to dial back support for Israel.
“Proceeding with a vote today was wishful and irresponsible… we cannot support a resolution that would put sensitive negotiations in jeopardy,” said the United States’s ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, while advocating an alternate resolution drafted by the US.
The United States’s veto has sparked controversy and increased pressure on President Joe Biden to reconsider US support for Israel amid mounting international concern.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield justified the veto, asserting that proceeding with the vote would jeopardize delicate diplomatic negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. The US opted to advocate for an alternate resolution drafted by Washington.
The vote tally revealed 13 in favor of the ceasefire resolution, with the UK abstaining and the US casting its veto, marking the third instance since the start of the conflict that the US has blocked Gaza ceasefire proposals at the Security Council.
US Stance on UN Security Council Resolution
Thomas-Greenfield reiterated the US stance, emphasizing that the resolution under consideration would not contribute to achieving sustainable peace and could potentially hinder diplomatic efforts. The US has consistently shielded Israel from diplomatic pressure at the UN and remains Israel’s primary supplier of arms.
The draft resolution condemned the forced displacement of the Palestinian civilian population and called for the release of all hostages held by Hamas. Notably, it does not explicitly condemn Hamas’s recent assault on Israel, a point of contention in previous drafts.
In response, the United States has circulated an alternate draft resolution, which includes support for a “temporary ceasefire in Gaza as soon as practicable,” contingent on the release of hostages. However, this draft does not call for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Despite efforts to find common ground, there are concerns that any resolution introduced by the United States may face opposition from Russia, which could result in a veto. This uncertainty has heightened tensions within the Security Council.
