US vetoes UN Security Council's decision on ceasefire between Israel and Gaza
The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution on Wednesday, 18 October calling for "humanitarian pauses" in the war between Israel and the Gaza Strip to provide life-saving aid to millions of Gazans.
Source: United Nations
Quote from UN: "While 12 of the Council’s 15 members voted in favour of the Brazilian-led text, one (United States) voted against, and two (Russia, and the United Kingdom) abstained.
A ‘no’ vote from any one of the five permanent members of the Council stops action on any measure put before it. The body’s permanent members are China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States."
Details: Before the vote, the Security Council rejected two Russian-proposed amendments calling for an immediate, lasting, and full ceasefire and an end to attacks on civilians.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield explained in the Council chamber why her country vetoed the decision on ceasefire, saying "this resolution did not mention Israel’s right of self-defence".
"Israel has the inherent sight of self-defence as reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter," Thomas-Greenfield stressed, adding that the Council had reaffirmed this right in previous resolutions on terrorist attacks, and "this resolution should have done the same".
The US ambassador said while the US could not support the resolution, it would go on to work closely with all Council members on the crisis, "just as we will continue to reiterate the need to protect civilians, including members of the media, humanitarian workers, and UN officials".
In addition, Thomas-Greenfield noted that the US is also involved in ground diplomacy and as an example she cited the visit of President Joseph Biden and other high-ranking officials.
The resolution was developed by Brazil, which chairs the Security Council in October.
Quote from Ambassador Sérgio França Danese of Brazil: "We heeded the call with a sense of urgency and responsibility, in our view the Security Council had to take action and do so very quickly."
"Council paralysis in the face of a humanitarian catastrophe is not in the interest of the international community," Danese emphasised, reacting to the fact that the resolution was not passed.
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