US casts sole veto, derails UN peace resolution on Israel-Palestine

NEW DELHI | Updated: 19 October, 2023 4:02 pm IST

The US Ambassador to the UN elaborated on their decision to veto stating that the right to self defence had not been elaborated upon

Among the council of 15, it was only the US that vetoed the resolution, while Russia and the UK abstained from voting

NEW DELHI: As the conflict between Israel and Palestine reaches its second week, the US uses its veto power to shoot down a peace resolution at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

According to the UN, among the council of 15, it was only the US that vetoed the resolution. It received landslide support from 12 participating nations, while the Russian Federation and the UK abstained from voting.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield illustrated that the Joe Biden-led government could not support the resolution owing to the resolution not mentioning the Israeli’s “right to self-defence” while stating that other terror attacks across the world had mentioned the same.

She said, “Israel has the inherent right of self-defence as reflected in Article 51 of the UN Charter. This resolution should have also mentioned Israel’s right to self-defence.”

Thomas-Greenfield also added that the US will continue to work closely with civilians, although they would “not be able to support the resolution” while highlighting the need to engage in on-ground diplomacy.

“Yes, resolutions are important, and yes, this Council must speak out. But the actions we take, must be informed by the facts on the ground and support direct diplomacy that can save lives,” she said.

The Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia illustrated why the country decided to abstain, as he said that it was the non-acceptance of two amendments posited by the country was the main reason for their abstention.

“The time for diplomatic metaphors is long gone. Anyone who does not support Russia’s draft resolution on this issue bears responsibility for what happens,” he said, “The current draft has no clear call for a ceasefire” and “will not help to stop the bloodshed.”

He added that without the inclusion of the amendments, “it would not help to address the human situation” in Gaza.

UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward also explained the country’s stand, stating that the text needed to be clearer on “Israel’s inherent right to self-defence”. “They [Hamas] have embedded themselves in civilian communities and made the Palestinian people their victims too,” she said.

She also highlighted that the British government would continue working with all sides to ensure the protection of civilians and work towards the promised peace and stability of the “two-states solution”.