Title: US Vetoes UN Cease-Fire Resolution, Deepening Rift with Allies
Word Count: 378
In a move that has deepened the rift between the United States and several of its closest allies, the US has vetoed a UN resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Despite receiving support from other Security Council members and numerous nations, the resolution failed to pass with a vote of 13-1. The United Kingdom abstained from the vote.
Ahead of the UN vote, foreign ministers from Egypt, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to urge a change in the US stance. Their mission aimed to hold the US accountable for protecting Israel amid increasing calls to halt the airstrikes on Gaza.
The US deputy ambassador criticized the resolution as “imbalanced,” arguing that stopping military action would allow Hamas to continue ruling Gaza and potentially spark the next war. However, this stance has drawn sharp criticism from diplomats around the world.
Israel’s military campaign has resulted in the deaths of over 17,400 people in Gaza, predominantly women and children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. More than 46,000 have been wounded, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The United Arab Emirates expressed disappointment at the US veto and warned that the Security Council is becoming isolated, disregarding its mandate for international peace and security. France’s ambassador pleaded for an immediate and lasting humanitarian truce, while Russia’s deputy UN ambassador accused the US of issuing a “death sentence” to civilians in Palestine and Israel.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, raising the threat to international peace and security, and warned of a “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza. He highlighted the widespread destruction of infrastructure, including attacks on education and healthcare facilities, mosques, churches, and displacement of thousands.
The Palestinian UN ambassador accused Israel of ethnically cleansing and displacing the Palestinian people, calling for an immediate cease-fire to halt war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel’s Defense Minister, on the other hand, thanked the US for its support and warned that a cease-fire would reward Hamas.
Jordan’s foreign minister condemned the killing of Palestinian civilians as war crimes and warned of destabilization not only for the region but also for the US and the world.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch criticized the US for providing weapons and diplomatic cover to Israel, potentially making it complicit in war crimes. These human rights organizations have called for greater accountability and an impartial investigation into the ongoing conflict.
As the situation in Gaza continues to worsen, pressure is mounting on the international community to find a diplomatic solution and bring an end to the violence.
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