US vetoes UN resolution for ceasefire in Gaza, defying 14 council members

The United States has vetoed a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution calling for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent” ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, amid ongoing Israeli military actions in the Palestinian territory.

The veto, issued on November 20 morning, came despite the support of 14 other council members for the resolution, which also called for the release of hostages held in Gaza, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

However, the US opposed the demand for an “unconditional” ceasefire, arguing that a resolution without the release of hostages would be unacceptable.

Robert Wood, the US deputy envoy to the UN, explained the US stance, stating, “We made clear throughout negotiations that we could not support an unconditional ceasefire that failed to release the hostages.”

He emphasized that achieving a lasting peace would require the release of the hostages, asserting, “These two urgent goals are inextricably linked.” Wood continued,

 "This resolution abandoned that necessity, and for that reason, the United States could not support it."

This marks the fourth time that President Joe Biden’s administration has vetoed a resolution calling for a ceasefire since the start of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza in October of the previous year. The ongoing conflict has resulted in nearly 44,000 Palestinian deaths due to Israeli bombardment, contributing to a severe humanitarian crisis in the region.

Biden’s steadfast support of Israel has sparked widespread criticism from human rights groups, who condemn his administration’s refusal to condition its aid to Israel despite the ongoing violence. The US provides Israel with over $3.8 billion in annual military aid, and since the start of the conflict in Gaza, the Biden administration has authorized an additional $14 billion in assistance.

Beth Miller, the political director of Jewish Voice for Peace, reacted strongly to the veto, calling it “pathetic.” She accused the Biden administration of hypocrisy, adding, “That fact that they continue to parrot over and over again that they’re ‘working tirelessly’ for a ceasefire while simultaneously blocking efforts to reach a ceasefire and sending lethal weapons to the Israeli government … is a sick joke.” Her comments reflect growing frustration over the perceived disconnect between US rhetoric and action in the conflict.

Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elizondo, reporting from UN headquarters in New York, noted that the US was “on an island by itself” regarding the resolution, highlighting the frustration among other members of the Security Council over the lack of action on Gaza. Elizondo remarked that the resolution was the result of weeks of negotiations, underscoring the global exasperation with the situation in Gaza.

Israel’s Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, expressed his gratitude to the US for vetoing the resolution, defending the action by claiming that the Biden administration was “standing on the side of morality and justice” by prioritizing the release of hostages.

“The text ignored the suffering of the 101 innocent hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza,” Danon said.

In contrast, Majed Bamya, the Deputy UN envoy for the State of Palestine, argued that a ceasefire was essential for saving lives. “This was true a year ago; this is even more true today,” Bamya said. He urged the world to take action to prevent further suffering, stating, “The fact we are Palestinians does not make that less shocking or less outrageous. Maybe for some we have the wrong nationality, the wrong faith, the wrong skin colour — but we are humans and we should be treated as such.”

Algeria’s UN envoy, Amar Bendjama, also voiced frustration over the US veto.

“There were significant concessions during negotiations, yet one member chose to block any action — any action — from this council,” Bendjama stated.

He accused the US of enabling Israeli actions by blocking any potential resolution, declaring, “Today’s message is clear, to the Israeli occupying power first: ‘You may continue your genocide, you may continue your collective punishment of the Palestinian people with complete impunity. In this chamber, you enjoy immunity.’”

The veto highlights the deep divisions within the UN Security Council regarding the Gaza conflict and underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, as calls for an end to hostilities face opposition from powerful member states like the United States.

By Aghakazim Guliyev