[News] For fourth time US vetoes UNSC resolution advocating ceasefire in Gaza

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/for-fifth-time--us-vetoes-unsc-resolution-advocating-ceasefi>
For fourth time US vetoes UNSC resolution advocating ceasefire in Gaza
Al Mayadeen English
November 20, 2024
------------------------------

The United States has once again used its veto power at the United Nations
Security Council to block a resolution advocating for a ceasefire in Gaza.

   - [image: A general view shows a Security Council meeting at United
   Nations headquarters on November 19, 2024. (AP)]
   <https://alpha-en-media.almayadeen.net/media/image/2024/11/20/9f015d87-c9db-40a2-8b57-0bd12d2ffb97.jpg?width=1000>
   A general view shows a Security Council meeting at United Nations
   headquarters, on November 19, 2024. (*AP*)

The United States vetoed on Wednesday a UN Security Council resolution
calling for a ceasefire in Gaza amid the ongoing Israeli war on the Strip,
accusing other council members of cynically dismissing efforts to find a
compromise.

The 15-member council voted on a resolution proposed by the ten
non-permanent members, which called for an "immediate, unconditional, and
permanent ceasefire" and demanded the release of captives. The US was the
sole member to oppose the resolution, using its veto power as a permanent
council member to block it.

A senior US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity before the
vote, stated that the US would only support a resolution that specifically
demands the immediate release of captives as part of any ceasefire
agreement.

"As we stated many times before, we just can't support an unconditional
ceasefire that does not call for the immediate release of hostages," the
official said.

Ahead of the vote, the UK proposed new language that the US was willing to
support as a compromise, but it was ultimately rejected, according to the
US official.

It is worth noting that before the session and during the drafting process,
which extended late into the night, "the United States objected to a clause
referencing the provisional measures ordered by the International Court of
Justice (ICJ)" against the Israeli regime, including the cessation of
hostilities in Rafah
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/unsc-to-vote-on-draft-resolution-for-gaza-ceasefire-today>,
sources told *Al Mayadeen.*

The language was eventually revised to "delete any direct reference to the
ICJ’s provisional measures but retained a statement affirming respect for
the ICJ and its functions," as a compromise.

Moreover, the final draft resolution did not include a US request for
"language establishing a permanent mechanism to review allegations raised
by Israel regarding alleged ties between UNRWA staff and Hamas."

The US veto comes as the Israeli occupation continues its genocidal
campaign against the Gaza Strip, killing 43,985  and injuring 104,092 since
October 7. The Gaza Health Ministry announced that on the 411th day of
genocide in Gaza
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/411-days-of-israeli-genocide-in-gaza--43-985-killed--104-092>,
in 24 hours, the Israeli military committed two massacres, resulting in 13
martyrs and 84 injuries, with many victims still trapped under rubble or
out of reach due to Israeli bombardment.
UNSC resolution for Gaza ceasefire

Earlier in June, the UNSC adopted a resolution welcoming the Gaza ceasefire
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/unsc-adopts-resolution-regarding-gaza-ceasefire--hamas-welco>
proposal put forth by US President Joe Biden. The resolution, drafted by
the United States, received overwhelming support, with 14 members voting in
favor and Russia abstaining.

The ceasefire proposal, announced by Biden on May 31, outlines a new
three-phase plan aimed at achieving "a lasting cessation of hostilities" in
the Gaza Strip and the release of all captives held by Hamas.

Hamas welcomed the ceasefire proposal. "We welcome the contents of the
Security Council resolution regarding a permanent ceasefire in Gaza,
complete withdrawal, the return of displaced persons, and reconstruction."

However, Hamas' position was rendered obsolete after the Israeli government
derailed the negotiations and rescinded its initial approval of Biden's
proposal.

This is the fifth time that the United States has vetoed UNSC resolutions
on issues relating to Palestine, during the period of the war on Gaza. The
US vetoed four resolutions on a ceasefire in Gaza and a resolution on the
international recognition of the State of Palestine as a member of the
United Nations.
G20 demands reform of international system, ceasefire in Gaza, Lebanon

In a related context, on Tuesday, the Group of 20 (G20) called for a
ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/g20-demands-reform-of-international-system--ceasefire-in-gaz>
after a summit held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The G20 Leaders' final statement delved into a series of topics, namely
sustainability, the environment, and reform of the international system.

On the Israeli wars on Gaza and Lebanon, G20 leaders expressed their "deep
concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/pro-palestine-protests-erupt-in-rio-ahead-of-g20-summit>
and the escalation in Lebanon."

They emphasized the need to expand humanitarian aid and protect civilians
in affected regions.

Moreover, G20 leaders affirmed "the Palestinian right to
self-determination," underlining their commitment to the "vision of the
two-state solution, where Israel and a Palestinian state live side by side
in peace within secure and recognized borders."
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