The Security Council of the United Nations (UN) rejected this Wednesday, with a veto from the United States, the second draft resolution that will be voted on this week that demands “pauses” in the fighting in Gaza to allow humanitarian aid without obstacles.
The resolution, proposed by Brazil and condemning Hamas attacks against Israel and all violence against civilians, was rejected after the United States voted against, also receiving 12 votes in favor and two abstentions – from Russia and the United Kingdom. , of a total of 15 member states that make up the Security Council.
“Colleagues, the United States is disappointed that this resolution makes no mention of Israel’s right to self-defense. Like all nations in the world, Israel has the inherent right to self-defense, as reflected in the United Nations Charter. “explained the North American ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
“While we cannot support this resolution, we will continue to work closely with all Council members on this pressing issue in the future,” he added.
UAE Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh argued that it was not about taking away Israel’s right to defend itself, but about helping civilians in Gaza.
At the end of the vote, Brazil regretted the lack of action by the Security Council on the situation in Gaza, highlighting that the “paralysis” of the UN body in the face of a humanitarian catastrophe is not in the interest of the international community.
“The Council response we proposed was solid and balanced. (…) Very unfortunately, the Council was unable to adopt a resolution on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Once again, silence and inaction prevailed. (… . ) Hundreds of thousands “Civilians in Gaza cannot wait any longer. In fact, they have waited a long time… without success,” said Brazilian ambassador Sergio Danese.
Russia’s permanent representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, accused the United States of “hypocrisy” and “double standards” in rejecting this resolution.
“The United States really did not want any solution to be found here. (…) I think it is clear what happened,” he said, accusing Washington of having an interest in not restricting Israel’s military actions.
Today’s vote follows the Council’s rejection on Monday night of a Russian-drafted resolution that condemned violence and terrorism against civilians and called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” but made no mention of Hamas.
In Brazil’s resolution voted today, Russia presented two amendments: the first called for “an immediate, lasting and fully respected humanitarian ceasefire”; and the second “unequivocally” condemned the “indiscriminate attacks” against civilians in Gaza, as well as the imposition of the “blockade of the Gaza Strip.”
But both were also vetoed by the United States.
Until now, the UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security has not been able to comment on the deadly attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7, nor on the Israeli response, with a blockade of Gaza and airstrikes that , according to Palestinian sources, caused 2,750 deaths.
To be adopted, a resolution requires the approval of at least nine of the Council’s 15 members, without any veto from one of the five permanent members (United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China).
Source: TSF
