US Claims Veto Justified, Others Express Outrage
The draft resolution proposed by the other 14 members of the council characterized the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and called for Israel to lift restrictions on aid and treat captives properly. The resolution also proposed that hostages be freed.
US Deputy Middle East envoy Morgan Ortagus defended the veto, saying it “does not condemn Hamas or recognize Israel’s right to defend itself” but rather “legitimizes false narratives to benefit Hamas.”
The decision was criticized immediately. Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour called it “deeply regrettable and painful” and claimed the US stopped the council from carrying out its role. Pakistan’s Ambassador Asim Ahmad called it “a dark time in this chamber,” and Algeria’s envoy Amar Bendjama apologized to the Palestinians, saying, “Forgive us, because our sincere efforts have shattered against this wall of rejection.”
Growing Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The vote comes in the context of what is happening on the ground. Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, said conditions were “cataclysmic” in Gaza City and that food, water, and medicine were nearly gone.
Thousands of civilians are fleeing as Israeli tanks and troops continue with a ground war. Gaza's health ministry reports that at least 65,141 people have been killed since Israel began its military campaign in response to the Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023, which killed about 1,200 people in southern Israel, and 251 of them have been taken hostage.
Gaza's health ministry also noted that malnutrition and starvation have caused 435 deaths while the conflict has been ongoing, including 4 in the last 24 hours.
A Crucial Moment Before the UN General Assembly
This comes just days before world leaders are to meet for the UN General Assembly, where Gaza is expected to be centre stage. Some American allies, the United Kingdom included, are preparing to formally recognize a Palestinian state, putting additional diplomatic pressure on Washington.
In the face of international calls for peace, the US continues to withstand the pressure, citing the need to face Hamas and protect Israel's right to security, making us at odds with much of the world community.
