US vetoes UN Security Council call for Gaza ceasefire

The United States vetoed Wednesday a UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza, which Washington claimed undermined ongoing diplomacy to resolve the conflict.

“This resolution would undermine diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire that reflects the realities on the ground and emboldens Hamas. This resolution also draws false equivalence between Israel and Hamas,” said Washington’s United Nations envoy Dorothy Shea just ahead of the vote.

“United States opposition to this resolution should come as no surprise,” said Shea.

“The United States has taken the very clear position since this conflict began that Israel has the right to defend itself, which includes defeating Hamas and ensuring they are never again in a position to threaten Israel. In this regard, any product that undermines our close ally Israel’s security is a non-starter.”

Fourteen members of the UN Security Council voted in favour of a Gaza ceasefire and humanitarian access to the occupied territory.

Pakistan was among those who supported the resolution. There was only one vote against (by the US), with zero abstentions.