The United States has vetoed a resolution by the United Nations that called for a pause to the Israel-Hamas conflict to pave the way for humanitarian aid to be delivered to Palestinians in Gaza.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield argued that the UN Security Council needs to allow current diplomatic efforts, including those made by President Joe Biden, to play out. She also urged the council to find out more facts before sending humanitarian aid to people hammered by the conflict.
US Vetoes UN Resolution
Additionally, the US ambassador criticized the measure for allegedly failing to underline Israel's right to self-defense. Brazil was the one that sponsored the resolution, and it had wide support and would have condemned all violence against civilians. This includes the "heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas" against Israel.
The vote for the resolution in the 15-member Security Council resulted in 12 votes in favor and the US against, with Britain and Russia abstaining. Thomas-Greenfield argued that Biden was already in the region engaging in diplomacy, hoping to protect civilians, secure the release of hostages, and prevent the conflict from spreading to other regions, as per NowThisNews.
The US ambassador added that the Security Council needs to speak out but should also be informed by facts on the ground and support direct diplomacy efforts that can save people's lives.
Thomas-Greenfield also criticized the UN resolution for not discussing Israel's right to self-defense following the Hamas militant group's attack on Oct. 7. At the time, the terrorist group killed more than 1,400 people.
But since then, the Gaza Health Ministry said that nearly 3,500 people have already been killed in Gaza and that more than 12,000 others were wounded. British UN Ambassador Barbara Woodward also criticized the resolution's alleged failure to mention Israel's right to self-defense.
Calling for Humanitarian Aid for Gaza
Before Brazil's resolution was put into a vote, Russia had two proposed amendments that called for an immediate, durable, and full ceasefire and the end of attacks against civilians. The two proposals were both rejected by the United Nations Security Council, according to UN News.
In a statement, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said that the time for diplomatic metaphors has long passed. He added that anyone who did not support Russia's draft resolution would be responsible for what happens next in the Middle East.
Nebenzia noted that Russia's amendments proposed a call to end indiscriminate attacks on civilians and infrastructure in Gaza as well as the condemnation of the imposition of the blockade on the enclave. The proposals also added a new point for a call for a humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The supporters of the resolution expressed their disappointment after the US voted no against it despite days of negotiations and a humanitarian situation that is rapidly escalating. Aljazeera said the vote also came as tensions in the region soared, with large crowds of protesters taking to the streets in various countries after the deadly explosion at a Gaza hospital.
