The Security Council witnessed a significant event on Tuesday as the United States exercised its veto power, blocking a draft resolution that sought an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza. Despite garnering 13 favourable votes among the council’s 15 members, the resolution faced opposition from the United States, with Britain opting to abstain.
For a Security Council draft resolution to pass, it requires a minimum of nine affirmative votes and no veto from any of the council’s five permanent members, including Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States.
The resolution, put forward by Algeria, aimed to secure an urgent humanitarian cease-fire in Gaza while condemning attacks on civilians and rejecting the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians. Additionally, it demanded unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza and the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages.
Before the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, voiced concerns that the Algerian draft could impede ongoing negotiations for a hostage release. She indicated that the U.S. was crafting an alternative resolution calling for a “temporary cease-fire” contingent upon the release of all hostages.
Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, criticized the U.S., accusing it of granting Israel impunity for its actions. He urged Security Council members to counter what he described as Washington’s lawlessness.
Following the veto, Nebenzia attributed full responsibility for the outcome to the United States, emphasizing the consequences regardless of attempts to evade accountability through mediation rhetoric.
China’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, expressed strong disappointment with the veto, asserting that it exacerbated the situation in Gaza. Zhang dismissed the U.S. claim of interference in diplomatic efforts, insisting that the Security Council must fulfil its obligation to push for a cease-fire, regardless of the veto.
French Ambassador to the UN, Nicholas de Riviere, lamented the resolution’s failure, stressing the urgent need for a cease-fire to safeguard civilians and facilitate emergency aid delivery in Gaza.
Notably, the Algerian-drafted resolution marks the eighth Gaza-related draft voted on by the Security Council since October 7, 2023, with only two resolutions adopted, neither of which calls for a cease-fire.
