The US vetoes for the third time a resolution to call for an end to the war in Gaza
This Tuesday, the United States vetoed again, for the third time, a Security Council resolution on the war in Gaza that had been presented by Algeria, which called for “an immediate ceasefire” in the Palestinian territory. The resolution had 13 votes in favor, one abstention from the United Kingdom and one vote against from the United States, but it did not go forward as the latter country had the right to veto due to its status as a permanent member (along with Russia, China, France and United Kingdom).
The US ambassador, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has justified her vote because it “jeopardizes the delicate negotiations” underway, and proceeding to the vote was “irresponsible.” These negotiations, he specified, are being carried out by his country together with Egypt and Qatar in favor of a six-week pause in the fighting, “and we believe that this (Algerian) resolution could negatively impact these negotiations (…) and could prolong the fighting between Hamas and Israel.”
The novelty at this time – the ambassador has pointed out – is that the US is working on another resolution of its own in which for the first time it will demand a temporary “ceasefire” from its ally Israel “when the conditions are met”, and after release. of all the hostages held by Hamas.
Since the war in Gaza began, the US has already vetoed three resolutions calling for its end: the first was presented by Brazil on October 18, and asked Israel for “humanitarian pauses” in Gaza; On December 8, another similar resolution presented by the United Arab Emirates demanded an immediate ceasefire.
Algeria prepared the first draft resolution on January 31, and the US asked it on several occasions to postpone the vote to have time to introduce changes – even Secretary of State Antony Blinken telephoned his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf in this regard – but None of the changes have been to Washington's liking.
The Chinese ambassador, Zhang Jun, regretted that the result of this Tuesday's vote “demonstrates that on the issue of a ceasefire in Gaza, it is clear that it is not that the Security Council does not present an overwhelming consensus (in its favor), but the United States veto is what annuls that consensus.