Global condemnations pour in after US veto of Gaza ceasefire resolution

Condemnations have poured in from across the world following the United States’ veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, as the Palestinian death toll continues to rise from the Israeli regime’s genocidal war against the besieged territory.

In a statement on Saturday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas denounced as “aggressive, immoral, and a flagrant violation of all humanitarian principles” US’ veto, saying the move made Washington “complicit” in Israeli war crimes in Gaza. 

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh described the veto as “a disgrace” and another “blank cheque” given to the Israeli regime to “massacre, destroy and displace”.

Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, told the UNSC that condoning the continuation of war while claiming to care about the lives and safety of people in Gaza is” hypocritical” and “double-standards”.

Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's Deputy UN Ambassador, said the US has “literally before our eyes issued a death sentence to thousands if not tens of thousands more civilians in Palestine and Israel.”

Nicolas de Rivière, Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations, noted that once again the UNSC has “failed with a lack of unity, and by refusing to commit to negotiations the crisis in Gaza is getting worse and the council is not completing its mandate under the charter.”

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that “the use of the veto at the Security Council is a shameful insult to humanitarian norms,” expressing deep regret that the US “should sacrifice the lives of innocent civilians for the cause of Zionism.”

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian warned that as long the US supports the crimes of the Israeli regime and the continuation of the war in Gaza, there would be the threat of an “uncontrollable explosion” of the situation in the region.

In a post on X, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed his “strong objection” to the US vetoing the resolution, saying “It is strange and beyond human sanity when there are parties who support and remain silent regarding the massacre of innocent children and women as well as civilians.”

The United Arab Emirates’ deputy UN ambassador Mohamed Abushahab asked the UNSC, “What is the message we are sending Palestinians if we cannot unite behind a call to halt the relentless bombardment of Gaza?”

“Indeed, what is the message we are sending civilians across the world who may find themselves in similar situations?” he added.

In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said it was “deeply disappointed” by the failure of the UNSC’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza, stressing that Israel must put an end to its “brutal attacks and inhumane blockade” of the besieged enclave.

Norway Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said the UNSC’s inability to agree on a ceasefire for humanitarian reasons in Gaza “was tragic”.

Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International said in a statement on X that the US veto “displays a callous disregard for civilian suffering in the face of a staggering death toll”.

Washington “has brazenly wielded and weaponized its veto to strongarm the UN Security Council, further undermining its credibility and ability to live up to its mandate to maintain international peace and security,” the statement added.

Moreover, Foreign Ministers of Arab and Islamic nations also criticized the US veto, reiterating calls for Washington to assume its responsibilities and take the necessary measures to push Israel towards an immediate ceasefire.

SS