U.S. Vetoes Another Gaza Resolution at Security Council
Following a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire and unconditional humanitarian aid to the ‘decrypted’ Gaza Strip, the United States has, for the sixth time, exercised its veto power as a permanent member of the Council—effectively ensuring the resolution cannot pass..
United Nations
Sphinx: Ahmed Ali
The United States has, for the sixth time, vetoed a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cessation of violence in the Gaza Strip and full humanitarian access.
The draft was proposed by the Council’s ten non-permanent members: Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Pakistan, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia. When voted on by all 15 Security Council members, 14 voted in favor, with only the U.S. voting against.
The resolution called for an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza respected by all parties,” the release of all captives held by Hamas and other groups, and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid.
Morgan Ortagus, U.S. Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East, criticized the resolution, stating: “It fails to condemn Hamas or recognize Israel’s right to defend itself and wrongly legitimizes false narratives benefiting Hamas, which have sadly found currency in this Council.”
The international community, particularly the ten non-permanent members (E10), condemned the U.S. veto. Pakistan, a strong proponent of the resolution, strongly criticized the decision. Its Permanent Representative to the UN said: “Pakistan profoundly regrets that this Council was unable to adopt the draft resolution tabled by the ten elected members, a resolution solely aimed at addressing the unfolding humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This was not a routine procedural matter; it was an opportunity to act in the face of unprecedented brutality, devastation, and mass displacement, as the Israeli ground invasion intensifies.”
Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour called the U.S. veto “deeply regrettable,” saying it prevented “the Security Council from playing its rightful role in addressing these atrocities and protecting civilians in the face of genocide.” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reaffirmed the Secretary-General’s stance: “The Secretary-General’s position on what is needed in Gaza has not changed. We want to see a ceasefire.”
