U.S. Vetoes U.N’s Call for Ceasefire in Gaza

Dec 10, 2023

US deputy ambassador to the UN Robert Wood (2nd R) raises his hand during a United Nations Security Council vote about a ceasefire in Gaza at UN headquarters in New York on December 8,2023. [Charly Triballeuau/AFP]

The United States vetoed the UN resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza on Friday.

The United Arab Emirates proposed calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza to the UN Security Council. The proposal was co-sponsored by a 100 other countries and then voted on by the 15 member council (14 due to United Kingdom abstaining).

The United States vetoed the proposal while the remaining 13 countries voted in favor of the resolution. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said the U.S.’s veto made it “complicit” in war crimes in Gaza. The president described the American position as immoral and a flagrant violation of humanitarian principles and values.

Hamas condemned the U.S. veto, saying it considers Washington’s move “unethical and inhumane.” U.S. deputy ambassador Robert Wood called the resolution “imbalanced” and declared that a ceasefire would allow Hamas to “only plant the seeds for the next war.”

The UAE’s deputy ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked the UNSC: “What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza? Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?”

Tags: Israel-Palestine Gaza UN USA