US vetoes UN vote calling for a ceasefire for the third time

• 13 out of 15 members of the UN Security Council vote for a ceasefire 

• The UK abstains and the US vetoes a ceasefire in the UN Security Council, leading to it becoming void

After more than 5 months of genocide the entirety of Gaza’s 2.3 million population is in a state of starvation with more than 29,000 killed, including 10,000 children. The World Food Programme deliveries to Northern Gaza has stopped completely which has left 300,000 people without any access to food. Yet, for the third time, the United States has decided to use its special veto powers in the UN Security Council to block a majority vote calling for a much-needed ceasefire.

After Algeria put forward a motion on Tuesday calling for a ceasefire, 13 out of 15 members of the United Nations Security Council had voted in favour, the UK had abstained, and the United States had voted against, thus making the motion void. Algeria’s U.N. ambassador, Amar Bendjama, lashed out at the United States, telling the Council that the veto “implies an endorsement of the brutal violence and collective punishment inflicted upon” the Palestinians. He said, “silence is not a viable option; now is the time for action and the time for truth.” The US ambassador to the United Nations, Ms. Thomas-Greenfield, had said that the resolution would jeopardise Washington’s continuing negotiation efforts with Qatar and Egypt to make a deal that would release hostages from Gaza in exchange for a temporary humanitarian cease-fire. In reality, those negotiations have come to a halt, with neither Israel nor Hamas reaching a consensus on the terms of a deal. Ms. Thomas-Greenfield had said, “Demanding an immediate unconditional cease-fire without an agreement requiring Hamas to release the hostages will not bring endurable peace.” The issue with this claim she so baldly made in front of the international community is that Hamas has already offered to release all hostages on the basis of a ceasefire and the full release of all Palestinian prisoners. In late January, Hamas offered to cease all hostilities in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal and the full exchange of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners in a 135-day ceasefire period. Netanyahu rejected the deal and has so far not shown any true signs of a breakthrough but rather threatened to launch an offensive in Rafah, the most populous region of the Gaza strip left with a population of 1.5 million. This highlights the true nature of Israel’s aims and ambitions, which go far beyond seeking peace. It also highlights the inept behaviour of the United States in trying to make an excuse for their inability to vote for a ceasefire.

UN for nothing

The UN Security Council is a UN organ that is pivotal in making legally binding decisions worldwide, such as on matters like ceasefires, sanctions, and even a united international declaration of war. It is an internationally recognised entity recognised by all 193 UN member states, including Russia and China. It is composed of 15 security member states, 10 of whom are changed each year and 5 of whom are permanent. The US, UK, France, China, and Russia are the five permanent member states within the security council, and each holds a special veto power, which means any vote they make against a decision put forward automatically prevents it from being implemented regardless of whether there’s a majority for the motion. Throughout history, the US has used its veto more than 48 times on resolutions to do with Israel. Throughout this genocide in Gaza alone, they have used their veto four times, including three blocking a ceasefire. Tuesday marked the third after the Algerian motion calling for a ceasefire. Throughout history, the five veto-wielding permanent security council members have used their powers for their own interests rather than those of the majority. The Soviet Union had used the veto more times than even the US, with China, the UK, and France also having been players in the veto tirade. The current UN’s most powerful organ, the UN Security Council, has been proven time and time again to defend the growth of modern-day empires through its veto element with no push for change, and has made the word and will of the majority of the global community obsolete when it goes against the interests of the permanent 5 veto-wielding member states. Tuesday’s veto implemented by the US and propagated by the UK through their abstention is a testament to the corruption of the global system that is manipulated by a few.

The US draft resolution that could be vetoed by China and Russia

The US has drafted a rival resolution that is expected to be voted on next week. Although in its early stages, the draft calls for a temporary humanitarian ceasefire ‘as soon as practicable’ and the release of hostages. It also states that Israel should not attack Rafah before outlining a clear plan on how to minimise civilian casualties. If the draft is put forward, it would be the first motion by the United States that included the term ‘ceasefire’. The draft will soon be circulated to council members; however, two diplomats have claimed that because of the US veto on Tuesday, it’s likely China and Russia will use their own veto power and vote against the motion once it is put forward. This again shows how incapable the UN is as a body of making a decision to stop or at least pause the ongoing genocide. The current Gaza genocide has once again reiterated the UN’s incompetence in dealing with global matters and the much-needed reformation it needs.