At Biden's request, diplomats are reportedly discussing how to tone down the language to avoid another U.S. veto.
An earlier version of the draft, presented on the morning of the 18th, called for an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities," which was partly the main object of US opposition. This part was watered down in the new version and is expected to be changed to "Suspension of hostilities".
In addition, the earlier version called on UN Secretary-General António Guterres to quickly establish a mechanism dedicated to monitoring aid deliveries to Gaza, bypassing Israel's current checks on aid entering the Gaza Strip. The United States also expressed opposition to this.
Israel has reportedly "been pressuring the United States to refuse to hold the United Nations accountable for inspections, as this would effectively render Israel useless in screening goods."
According to the Council's rules of procedure, a resolution requires at least nine votes in favor of its adoption, and no one of the permanent members, namely China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, can vote against it.
Richard Govan, an analyst at the International Crisis Group, believes that "if the Israelis continue to oppose this resolution, Biden is still likely to block its passage." ”
On the 20th local time, the Security Council chamber at the United Nations headquarters was empty before the vote.
It is reported that the new vote has been scheduled at 10 o'clock EST on the 21st. The UAE, as the Arab representative in the Council of 15, drafted the resolution and is leading the negotiations.
UAE Ambassador Rana al-Nusaybe said earlier: "High-level discussions are underway to try to reach an agreement on a text that can be adopted. "The overarching goal of this resolution is to try to make a positive difference to those most in need. ”
Everyone wants to see a resolution that has an impact and can be realistically enforced. She told reporters after a closed-door consultation between 15 members of the Security Council. "We believe that providing a little space for diplomacy could yield positive results. ”
On the morning of the 20th, John Kirby, spokesman for the US Committee, proposed two "revisions" to the latest resolution initiated by the UAE: "It is important for us that the Security Council speaks on this, condemns Hamas and what it has done, and recognizes the need for Israel to defend itself. ”
The governor noted that these two requirements have been repeatedly called for by the United States, but they have never been included in any adopted resolution or the latest draft. As Biden** continues to arm the Israeli army and oppose a ceasefire, the United States is becoming increasingly lonely on the world stage.
James Zogby, founder and chairman of the Arab American Institute, said on the 20th: "The events of the past week have highlighted how the irresponsible connivance of the United States against Israel has damaged the United States' standing in the world. ”
Instead of taking seriously the desperate living conditions of the Palestinian people and the survivors, the United States continues to prioritize Israel's military fantasy of 'eliminating Hamas'. Therefore, the United States considers the call for a ceasefire destructive, "Zogby wrote. "As public perceptions of Israel's behavior change around the world, U.S. policy is bogged down and increasingly isolated. ”
Gaza faces a humanitarian catastrophe
At the same time that the United States exclusively blocked the Security Council vote, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that Gaza was facing a "humanitarian catastrophe".
The United Nations World Food Programme reported last week that 56 percent of Gaza households are experiencing "acute hunger", up from 38 percent two weeks ago. Amnesty International accuses Israel of using hunger as a "means of war".
The Israel Defense Forces said on the morning of the 20th local time that in the past day, the Israeli army carried out attacks on more than 300 targets in the Gaza Strip, killing dozens of Hamas members and destroying part of the group's infrastructure.
The Palestinian health department in the Gaza Strip issued a statement on the 19th, saying that since the outbreak of the current round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict on October 7, the Israeli army's military operations in the Gaza Strip have killed nearly 20,000 PalestiniansMore than 20,000 people were injured.
The United Nations estimates that thousands more Palestinians are buried under the rubble of Gaza and nearly 2 million Gazans have left their homes, many of whom are trying to find safe accommodation in UN shelters in southern Gaza, which are already heavily overcrowded.
On the 21st, on the border between southern Israel and the Gaza Strip, thick smoke billowed from the attacked area after the Israeli bombing.
The United States disagrees
At a press conference held by the United States, Blinken said that the United States has been "on the front lines of increasing humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza" and that "we want to make sure that what the latest resolution calls for actually advances this effort and does not do anything that could harm humanitarian assistance, making things more complicated." ”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his position on the 20th that the war will not end until Hamas is eliminated, all hostages are released, and Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.
Blinken urged countries to demand that Hamas stop hiding behind civilians and drop its capitulation. "If Hamas does that, the war will end tomorrow. ”
On the 20th local time, Blinken delivered a speech at the year-end press conference.
Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Karama wrote on social media on the 20th, "Millions of people around the world have advocated a ceasefire and are now waiting for the UN Security Council to vote on humanitarian aid in Gaza." ”
Will the United States listen to the demands of the world?Calama questioned. "Will the United States continue its deadly, inhumane practices?”
Louis Chabono, UN director at Human Rights Watch, said that if Biden vetoed the Security Council vote again, he would "put a huge nail in the coffin of America's credibility with the laws of war."
Ambassador Zhang Jun, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, pointed out in his speech to the Security Council a few days ago that the UAE has proposed a new draft resolution on behalf of the Arab countries aimed at removing humanitarian access bottlenecks and alleviating the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. The UAE has consulted extensively with members on the content of the draft resolution and has listened to the views of United Nations humanitarian agencies, which have received overwhelming support. China participated in the co-sponsoring of the draft resolution.
Zhang Jun stressed that there is no reason for any country to hesitate in the face of this draft resolution. China urges the members concerned to adopt a constructive attitude and support the Security Council in taking prompt and meaningful action to save lives.
*丨Governor of Chang'an Street (the copyright belongs to the original author, if there is any infringement, please contact to delete).