The US has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, where the death toll is nearing 30,000. The US’s veto sends a message to Israel that it can do what it wants in Gaza and continue with the mass murder.
On Tuesday, the US voted against the latest attempt at the UN Security Council to call for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in the besieged Gaza Strip where the official death toll rapidly nears 30,000.
Algeria’s proposed resolution was supported by 13 of the Council’s 15 members. The only permanent Council member to vote against it was the US, which killed the resolution. UK, another permanent member, abstained.
The US opposed the draft resolution on Monday, calling for a “temporary truce “as soon as possible. Diplomats rejected it. Tuesday was the third US veto against cease-fire requests for Israel.
Algeria’s UN envoy, Amar Bendjama, warned that a vote in opposition signifies support “for murder and hatred.”
“Voting for this draft resolution supports Palestinian life. Before the vote, he warned voting against it means condoning their brutality and collective punishment. “Each one of us decides where we stand in this tragic chapter of history.”
Bendjama promised to continue Council cease-fire operations. “Algeria will return to knock on the doors of the Security Council once again to call for putting an end to the bloodshed in Palestine,” stated.
Palestine’s permanent envoy, Riyad Mansour, said Washington’s veto tells Israel “that it can continue to get away with murder.”
“Israel will not get away with it. “No way,” he said.
“This veto does not exempt Israel or its protectors. Not in the Security Council. Not in ICJ or elsewhere. Even if the Security Council repeatedly avoids its duties to be vetoed by a permanent member. The ICJ and other international organs are performing their duties “.
Israel has pounded Gaza since Hamas’ Oct. 7 cross-border raid. The Israeli war has killed 29,092 individuals and caused catastrophic destruction and shortages. Nearly 70,000 were hurt.
Hamas killed just 1,200 Israelis, but now almost 30,000 people have been killed by Israel in Gaza. The UN reports that 60% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed and 85% of its population has been internally displaced due to food, water, and medicine shortages.
International Court of Justice accuses Israel of genocide. In January, an interim court ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal crimes and ensure Gazan people get humanitarian aid.
However, hostilities have continued and relief deliveries are insufficient to meet Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
In explaining its veto, the US’ UN envoy pointed to ongoing negotiations to secure a cease-fire deal in exchange for the return of the more than 100 hostages held by Hamas, and said, “Sometimes hard diplomacy takes more time than any of us might like.”
“The current resolution would hurt negotiations. Demanding an immediate unconditional cease-fire without an agreement requiring Hamas to release the hostages will not bring about a durable peace,” ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Council.
Conclusion
The US blocked a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza, where almost 30,000 people have died. Algeria’s draft resolution received widespread support, with 13 of its 15 member states voting in favor. The only permanent Council member to vote against it was the US, which killed the resolution. UK, another permanent member, abstained. The US’s veto sends a message to Israel that it can continue with the mass murder.
Nevertheless, we cannot afford to forget the plight of the Palestinians and must continue to support them until at least Israel stops the genocide. Some possible steps that could be taken include:
1) Providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The Gaza Strip is under a blockade by Israel, which has made it difficult for Palestinians to get food, water, and other essential supplies. The West Bank is also occupied by Israel, and many Palestinians there live in poverty and under military rule.
2) Advocating for peace and human rights in the region. This could involve supporting organizations that are working to build peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
3) Speaking out against the atrocities, war crimes, and genocide that Israel is committing in Palestine.
