The United States vetoed a draft resolution at the UN Security Council that called for a humanitarian pause in besieged Gaza. This action has led to increased criticism of the political gridlock within the powerful global body.
The brief resolution, initially proposed by Brazil, denounced the October 7 terror attacks in Israel by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,400 people, and it called for the release of hostages.
The resolution also urged all parties involved to adhere to international law and protect the lives of civilians in Hamas-controlled Gaza, especially in the face of intense retaliation by Israeli warplanes. It recommended that the international community facilitate “humanitarian pauses” in the conflict to allow for aid delivery.
On Wednesday, twelve out of the council’s 15 members approved the draft, with the UK and Russia abstaining and the US casting a veto.
Following the vote, US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, explained that the US wanted more time for American on-the-ground diplomacy efforts to take effect. The US had previously postponed voting on the resolution.
Thomas-Greenfield also criticized the text for not acknowledging Israel’s right to self-defense, a point that was later echoed by the British representative, Barbara Woodward.
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Since the Hamas attacks, Israel has been carrying out airstrikes in Hamas-controlled Gaza and had also cut off essential supplies, including food, water, and electricity, from the enclave’s 2 million people.
The Israeli strikes had resulted in the deaths of more than 3,000 people, including over 1,000 children and dozens of aid workers. UN experts warned of a widespread disaster if access to water and electricity was not restored.
The US, Egypt, Israel, and the UN had been negotiating for several days regarding the potential opening of a humanitarian corridor for aid through the Rafah border crossing, connecting Gaza to Egypt.
In New York, several members of the Security Council expressed disappointment and frustration over the failure to issue a joint statement emphasizing the importance of aid and civilian protection.
UN Ambassador to Brazil, Sergio Franca Danese, said following the veto, “Sadly, the council was yet again unable to adopt a resolution on these conflicts. Again, silence and inaction prevailed. To no one’s true long-term interest.”
French representative Nicolas de Rivière also expressed regret, stating, “We deeply regret that this text has been rejected.” He emphasized the right of Israel to defend itself while also stressing the need to protect civilians, grant humanitarian access, and uphold international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.
The United Arab Emirates’ ambassador, Lana Nusseibah, mentioned that the resolution was not perfect but was voted for by her country because it highlighted essential principles that the Council must reinforce and uphold. She hoped that US diplomatic efforts in the region would help prevent further escalation.
The UN Security Council is the most powerful body in the UN but is often hindered by the veto power held by each of its five permanent members. Recent draft resolutions have also faced obstacles, such as Russian vetoes regarding Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
