The US was the only member of the Council to vote against the call for a humanitarian ceasefire
by Dave DeCamp , Antiwar, com, February 20, 2024
The US on Tuesday vetoed a resolution at the UN Security Council that called for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. It marked the third time the US used its veto power on the Council to block a call for an end to the Israeli slaughter of Palestinians.
The US was the only member to vote against the resolution, which was introduced by Algeria. The UK abstained, and all 13 other members voted in favor of the measure.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield slammed the Algerian effort after the vote.
“Proceeding with a vote today was wishful and irresponsible, and so while we cannot support a resolution that would put sensitive negotiations in jeopardy, we look forward to engaging on a text that we believe will address so many of the concerns we all share,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
Thomas-Greenfield claims the resolution would disrupt US efforts to push for a hostage deal, but there’s no sign any progress is being made. Qatar’s prime minister, who is mediating, said over the weekend that the negotiations are “not very promising,” and Israel declined to attend the last round of in-person talks with US, Qatari, and Egyptian officials.
The US is drafting its own resolution that calls for a “temporary ceasefire” if Hamas releases the hostages, which is essentially Israel’s position. The US resolution leaves open the possibility of Israel restarting military operations after the truce.
So far, the Israeli slaughter has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians and wounded over 69,000. About two-thirds of the casualties are women and children. Despite the massive civilian casualty rate, the US continues to provide unconditional support and is preparing to send more bombs.
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