Resolution the US Called ‘Divorced from Reality’
Had Nearly 100 Global Co-sponsors
RIA Novistu

UNITED NATIONS (December 8, 2023) — The United States vetoed a draft UAE resolution in the UN Council demanding an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all hostages, RIA Novosti correspondent reports.

13 members voted for the resolution UN Security Council. Against spoke USA, and United Kingdom abstained. The project was co-sponsored by 97 countries — UN members.

The first deputy chairman of Russia at the organization, Dmitry Polyansky, criticized Washington’s position.

“It is no exaggeration to say that today will be one of the blackest days in the history of the Middle East. Once again cynically blocking the call for a ceasefire in the zone of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, our colleagues from the United States sentenced thousands more to death in our eyes, if not tens of thousands of civilians in Palestine and Israel, including women and children, as well as UN staff trying to help them,” he emphasized.

The draft resolution stated that the Security Council “requires an immediate humanitarian ceasefire”. The document also called for the immediate release of all hostages and humanitarian access.

According to the draft resolution, the Security Council reiterates its requirement for all parties to fulfill their obligations under international law, in particular with regard to the protection of civilians.

In addition, the document expressed “deep concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the suffering of the Palestinian civilian population”.

This is not the first time the United States has vetoed a resolution that impedes the implementation of military plans of  Israel in the Palestinian enclave. Washington blocked a draft resolution from Brazil on October 18th. That document, among other things, called on Israel to revoke the order of the people of the Gaza Strip to move to the south of the sector. Then the States explained their act by citing the lack of any mention of Israel’s right to self-defense.

UAE circulated the draft resolution on Wednesday after the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres demanded that the Security Council prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip, and also called for a ceasefire.

At the same time, Guterres sent a letter to the chairman of the UN Security Council in pursuance of Article 99 of the UN Charter. The article reads: “The Secretary-General has the right to bring to the attention of the Security Council any issues that, in his opinion, may threaten the maintenance of international peace and security.””

As Stefan Dujarrik, the official representative of the Secretary General explained, Guterres took advantage of this article for the first time.

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