US veto to the UN resolution on Gaza.

Translated by Valeria D’Alessandro

The United States has once again exercised its right to veto, blocking a resolution in the United Nations Security Council on February 20th. The resolution called for an immediate and definitive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. This was the third time the US has blocked similar resolutions and proposed instead a ceasefire with different terms. The resolution, presented by Algeria, was supported by 13 member states of the Council. The US justified its veto, stating that it was not the right moment, and citing ongoing negotiations between Qatar, Egypt and the involved parties to resolve the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The other 13 member countries of the Security Council voted for the resolution (among them some non-permanent members: Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Switzerland), while the United Kingdom abstained. The conflict began with Hamas attack on Israeli territory on October 7^th, which lead to heavy bombing and ground invasions by Israel in Gaza, resulting in a significant number of victims.

In the proposal for a resolution presented by the Arab Group at the United Nations a request for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza was included. Linda Thomas Greenfield, the US Ambassadress to the Council, explained that the approval of the Arab resolution would have a negative impact on the ongoing negotiations, which are seen as the only possible path to achieve long-lasting peace in the region. Afterwards, she officially announced Washington’s plan for an alternative resolution. She stressed that there are different points on which an agreement can be found, including an immediate ceasefire, addressing Hamas’ actions, and a warning to Israel regarding intentions to launch a ground offensive on Rafah. The draft resolution presented by the US includes an agreement for a temporary ceasefire as soon as possible and calls for the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas as an additional term. Moreover, it is proposed to remove the barriers that are currently preventing aid entry in the Gaza Strip. Currently, it is uncertain whether the Council will vote on the US resolution.

Among the strongest reactions to the US veto is China’s. The permanent representative, Zhang Jun, expressed his disappointment regarding the result of the vote on the Arab resolution on Gaza and urged the Security Council to take immediate action to stop violence in the Middle East. He praised Algeria’s constructive approach in the proposal resolution and has stressed that there is consensus within the Council regarding the ceasefire, but the United States is blocking every attempt. The Russian permanent representative at the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, complimented the Arab draft presented to the Security Council, defining it as “strong” and “balanced” and the result of negotiation conducted in good faith. At the same time, he criticized the US for its cynicism in putting obstacles to the Security Council’s work on the situation in the Middle East. Nebenzya rejected the US proposal on Gaza, defining it as an impractical alternative and accusing Washington to act in bad faith and only wanting to stall the situation.

According to France, the great human cost in the crisis in Gaza is unacceptable, and for this reason Paris supported again the Arab resolution blocked by US veto. After the vote, the French ambassador Nicolas de Riviere affirmed that Israel must stop. However, he also noticed that it is hard to understand why the Security Council has not condemned Hamas yet.

Jordan criticized the failure of the international community, while Iran talked about a diplomatic catastrophe with no precedents. Egypt condemned the precedent set by the Security Council in addressing wars and armed conflicts. The Algerian ambassador at the UN had already predicted that in case of a veto, violence and instability would prevail. The members of the Council who had already voted for the Algerian resolution, including France and Norway, expressed disappointment for the outcome of the Tuesday’s vote. After two vetoes of ceasefire proposals, it is clear that divergences are growing between US president, Joe Biden, and the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. The international community has invited Israel to avoid a ground offensive on Rafah to minimize civilian casualties. However, the Israeli government intends to move forward with this intention, despite it being Ramadan period. The United States wants to find a solution as soon as possible, to then be able to reopen negotiations for the hostages still held by Hamas, some of whom hold American citizenship. Israel has already rejected an attempt at mediation, creating dissatisfaction among Americans and increasing pressure on the UN.

Mauro Vieira, the foreign affairs minister of Brazil, criticized this “unacceptable paralysis” at the Security Council, which is directly leading to the loss of many lives. Moreover, on February 18^th, the Israeli government decided to consider Brazilian president Lula da Silva as a persona non grata after his allegations regarding the alleged genocide in Gaza and his comparison with the Holocaust. During a meeting of the African Union in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, President Lula da Silva affirmed: “It is the war of a professional army against women and children. […] what we are witnessing in the Gaza Strip is not a war, but a genocide”. Lula also protested for the suspension of funding to the UN agency for the Refugees (UNRWA) due to the alleged involvement of some of employees in the events of October 7^th. Brasil, he affirmed, continued to condemn Hamas, but also condemn Israel’s operations in the Gaza Strip. Colombia, Chile, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua e Bolivia expressed support for the Brazilian president.

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