U.S. Exercises Veto on UN Security Council Resolution for Gaza Ceasefire, Citing Disconnect from Reality
In a move that drew attention on the international stage, the United States exercised its veto power (“veto”) against a resolution proposed by the United Arab Emirates at the United Nations Security Council. The resolution sought an immediate ceasefire in Gaza for humanitarian reasons.
Part of the UN Security Council session on the ceasefire in Gaza-Source: Reuters
While 13 out of the 15 Council members voted in favor of the resolution, the U.S. opposed it, with the United Kingdom abstaining from the vote. Deputy U.S. Ambassador Robert Wood dismissed the resolution as “disconnected from reality” and expressed skepticism about its effectiveness on the ground.
#BREAKING United States vetoes Security Council draft resolution that would have demanded an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, and immediate and unconditional release of all hostages
VOTE
In Favour: 13
Against: 1 (US)
Abstain: 1 (UK) pic.twitter.com/hY0YcJ1JKF— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) December 8, 2023
The call for a ceasefire comes amid escalating tensions in Gaza, with over 17,400 casualties reported in the past two months due to Israeli airstrikes, according to the Hamas-led government. The General Commissioner of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, urgently appealed for an immediate humanitarian halt to the hostilities.
++UK abstained in #UNSC resolution vote for unconditional #ceasefire in #Gaza. Resolution did not pass after #UnitedStates used veto: 13 in favour, 1 against 1 abstention.#Gaza #ceasefire #Israel #abolishUNSCveto #UK #Britain pic.twitter.com/6RPOUJMFvb
— Talk Europe (@TalkEuropeTweet) December 8, 2023
Lazzarini highlighted the dire situation, stating that more than a million people sought refuge in UNRWA facilities in Gaza, which, despite being protected under international humanitarian law, were not spared from continuous shelling. In a poignant statement, Lazzarini expressed disbelief in having to witness the collapse of the supposed mission he was obligated to respect during his 35 years of emergency work.
Meanwhile, as UNRWA acknowledged its limitations in assisting all displaced individuals, Hamas issued a statement urging the organization to swiftly distribute essential food supplies to citizens without delay or procrastination.
