According to the reports on Thursday (5 June), the United States vetoed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid. The resolution, introduced by the 10 elected members of the Council, received overwhelming support from 14 of the 15 members, but the U.S. used its veto power to block its adoption. The draft also called for the unconditional release of all hostages and the safe, unhindered distribution of aid throughout Gaza.
The veto drew widespread condemnation from several Security Council members. China’s UN representative Fu Cong expressed deep disappointment, accusing the U.S. of extinguishing hope for Gaza’s civilians and abusing its veto to shield Israel. He stated that repeated U.S. vetoes have undermined the Council’s ability to stop the conflict and rendered previous resolutions ineffective. Fu urged the U.S. to act responsibly and support peace efforts.
British ambassador Barbara Woodward criticized Israel’s military actions and severe restrictions on aid, calling them unjustifiable and inhumane. She highlighted that Palestinians attempting to access limited aid have been killed, and urged independent investigations into these incidents. Britain backed the resolution as a necessary step to address the humanitarian catastrophe and emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
Other nations echoed these concerns, including Algeria and Pakistan. Algerian ambassador Amar Bendjama described the resolution as reflecting the collective will of the world and a message of solidarity with Palestinians. Pakistan’s representative Asim Iftikhar Ahmad called the U.S. veto a “moral stain” and a historic failure of the Council. He warned that this moment would be remembered as complicity in Gaza’s suffering and a total collapse of humanity and international law.
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