International rights groups, world leaders, and United Nations officials have condemned the United States for vetoing a UN resolution that called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. This move by the US has raised concerns about complicity in war crimes and a callous disregard for civilian suffering. The war in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 17,400 Palestinians and approximately 1,100 people in Israel since October 7.
On Friday, the UN Security Council failed to pass a resolution on the pause in hostilities, with the United States vetoing the proposal and Britain abstaining. The resolution, put forward by the United Arab Emirates and co-sponsored by 100 other countries, received support from 13 of the 15 current members of the UNSC.
The reaction to the US veto has been strong. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called it “a disgrace and another blank cheque given to the occupying state to massacre, destroy, and displace.” Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour described the vote’s result as “disastrous” and urged those who oppose the destruction and displacement of the Palestinian people to stand against the war. Hamas also condemned the US veto, considering it “unethical and inhumane” and accusing the US of participating in the killing of Palestinians.
Israel’s UN ambassador, Gilad Erdan, did not address the UNSC after the vote but stated in a release that a ceasefire would only be possible with the return of all hostages and the destruction of Hamas. Deputy US ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, defended the veto, stating that the draft resolution was rushed and imbalanced, and would not lead to a sustainable ceasefire.
International human rights organizations have also expressed their disappointment with the US veto. Amnesty International’s secretary-general, Agnes Callamard, criticized the US’s “callous disregard for civilian suffering” and its use of veto power to undermine the UN Security Council’s credibility. Avril Benoit, executive director of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) USA, accused the US of casting its vote against humanity and being complicit in the carnage in Gaza.
The US’s decision to veto the resolution has raised concerns about its complicity in war crimes. Human Rights Watch’s former executive director, Kenneth Roth, questioned whether pummeling Palestinian civilians in Gaza was achieving Israel’s goal of defending itself from Hamas. Britain’s UN ambassador, Barbara Woodward, explained that her country abstained from the vote due to the resolution’s lack of condemnation of Hamas. The UAE’s deputy UN ambassador, Mohamed Abushahab, questioned the message being sent to Palestinians and civilians worldwide if the bombardment of Gaza continues.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian of Iran warned of the potential for an “uncontrollable explosion” in the Middle East due to the US’s support for Israel. Other ambassadors and representatives from various countries expressed disappointment and frustration with the US’s veto, emphasizing the need for unity and negotiations to address the crisis in Gaza.
In response to the US’s veto, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan stated that the US is now alone on the Gaza issue and that the American political system seems helpless on matters related to Israel. Various individuals on social media platforms have also criticized the US, comparing President Biden’s actions to those of past war criminals.
The US’s veto of the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza has sparked international outrage and raised concerns about complicity in war crimes. As the death toll continues to rise and homes and infrastructure are destroyed, the international community calls for immediate action to protect civilian lives and work towards a sustainable solution to the conflict.
