US Veto of UN Resolution on Gaza War Sparks Global Criticism
In a move that has sparked widespread criticism, the United States has vetoed a draft UN Security Council (UNSC) resolution on Israel’s war in Gaza for the third time. The resolution demanded a ceasefire in Gaza and came a day after Washington circulated a resolution that would support a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of all Israeli captives from the Palestinian enclave.
Global Response
China’s envoy to the UN, Zhang Jun, expressed “strong disappointment and dissatisfaction” with the US, stating that the veto sends a wrong message and pushes the situation in Gaza into a more dangerous one. He emphasized that objecting to a ceasefire is equivalent to giving the green light to continued slaughter. Zhang stressed that extinguishing the flames of war in Gaza is crucial to prevent the fires of hell from engulfing the entire region.
Russia’s Ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, condemned the US veto as another black page in the history of the Security Council. He accused the US of playing for time to allow Israel to complete its inhumane plans for Gaza, including squeezing Palestinians out of the territory and completely cleansing the enclave. Despite the bitter aftertaste of the vote, Nebenzia affirmed that Russia is not in the mood to give up.
France’s UN envoy, Nicolas de Riviere, expressed regret that a UNSC ceasefire resolution could not be adopted given the disastrous situation in Gaza. France voted for the resolution and will continue working towards the release of captives and immediate implementation of a ceasefire.
Algeria’s envoy criticized the UNSC for failing once again and warned that this move could have profound consequences for the Middle East. He called on the international community to respond to calls for ending the killing of Palestinians by demanding an immediate ceasefire. Amar Bendjama urged those impeding such calls to review their policies and calculations, as wrong decisions today will result in violence and instability tomorrow.
Hamas, the Palestinian group, blamed the US administration for derailing the resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza. They accused President Joe Biden and his administration of providing a green light for the occupation to commit more massacres and harm innocent people through bombing and starvation.
The Palestinian Authority’s office criticized the US veto, stating that it defied the international community and gave Israel an additional green light to continue its aggression against Gaza. They held the US administration responsible for supporting and providing protection to Israel’s barbaric attacks against children, women, and the elderly. The office called the US a partner in the crimes of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes committed by Israeli forces.
Qatar’s UN Ambassador expressed regret over the failure to adopt the resolution and pledged to continue facilitating efforts to secure a truce in Gaza. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry also expressed regret at the veto and emphasized the need for Security Council reform to carry out its responsibilities without double standards.
Norway’s mission to the UN regretted that the council was not able to adopt a resolution on an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. They stressed the importance of ending the horror in Gaza.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez criticized the US, stating that its veto made it complicit in Israel’s crimes against Palestinians. He called the US an accomplice in the genocide of Palestine.
Amnesty International’s director, Agnes Callamard, expressed disappointment with the US decision. She highlighted that the US had a chance to protect Palestinian civilians but chose the opposite path at the UNSC.
Conclusion
The US veto of the UN resolution on Gaza has drawn global criticism from countries and world leaders alike. The move has been condemned for perpetuating the devastating conflict and allowing Israel to continue its aggression against Palestinians. The international community has called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further violence and suffering in Gaza. The repercussions of this veto are expected to have far-reaching consequences for the Middle East, emphasizing the need for reform within the UN Security Council.