The international community has voiced outrage as the United States once again exercised its veto power in the United Nations Security Council, blocking a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s ongoing conflict with the besieged Gaza Strip.
The resolution, put forward by Algeria, sought to secure an urgent humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza and the unconditional release of prisoners. Despite garnering support from representatives of 13 out of 15 member countries, with only Britain abstaining, the resolution faced an insurmountable obstacle with the US veto.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s sustained military offensive, backed by the US, has resulted in a devastating toll, with over 29,000 people killed in Gaza, a majority of whom are women and children. Additionally, approximately 70,000 others have been injured in the conflict.
The decision by the US to veto the resolution has sparked widespread condemnation from various nations, including China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, France, and Slovenia.
China, in particular, expressed grave concern over the escalation of the conflict following the US veto, warning of heightened dangers for all involved parties. The Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized the urgent moral obligation to halt Israeli aggression and urged the Security Council to take swift action to restore peace and stability to the region.
Russia’s Ambassador to the UN criticized the US veto as yet another dark chapter in the Security Council’s history, accusing the US of delaying actions that could halt Israel’s harsh tactics in Gaza.
France, while expressing regret over the failure of the resolution, reaffirmed its commitment to working towards the release of captives and an immediate ceasefire.
Algeria’s UN envoy highlighted the far-reaching consequences of the Security Council’s inaction, stressing the need for the international community to heed calls for a ceasefire to prevent further violence and instability in the region.
Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia expressed disappointment at the US veto, underscoring the urgent need for reform within the Security Council to address crises effectively and impartially.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez condemned the US for its veto, holding it complicit in Israel’s actions against Palestinians. He denounced the US veto as further enabling Israel’s actions, which he labeled as genocidal.
“The US has just vetoed again the UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the forced displacement of the Palestinian population,” Bermudez said in a social media post.
“They are accomplices of this genocide of Israel against Palestine.”
Norway’s delegation at the United Nations expressed deep regret over the council’s inability to pass a resolution for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
“It is imperative to end the horror in Gaza,” the statement emphasized.
