On November 8, 2023, the UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli situation to discuss a draft resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. However, the draft resolution was vetoed by the United States, triggering a strong reaction from the international community. The Palestinian Prime Minister and the country's permanent representative to the United Nations condemned the U.S. approach, calling it a "sad day" and questioning U.S. concern for civilian lives. Why did the United States veto this draft resolution?Who will listen to the cries of the Palestinians?
The United States is Israel's biggest ally and has long supported Israel's position on the Middle East issue. The United States vetoed the draft resolution on the basis that it did not unequivocally condemn Hamas's rocket attacks against Israel or demand that Hamas cease its violence. Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, said the U.S. "cannot support a draft resolution that does not mention Hamas, which is at the root of this crisis." He added that the United States "will continue to support Israel's right to defend itself until Hamas stops launching terrorist attacks."
This position of the United States was opposed by other members of the Security Council. Russia, China, France and other countries all believe that the draft resolution is balanced, calling for both a ceasefire and the protection of civilians, as well as a resumption of peace negotiations. They pointed out that the US veto is a disregard for international law and humanitarianism, an injustice to the Palestinian people and an obstacle to peace in the Middle East.
The Palestinians are the biggest victims of this conflict. Since October 2023, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has escalated, resulting in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries, and tens of thousands** of displacement. The vast majority of them are Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, including women and children. Israeli air and ground offensives have destroyed the infrastructure of the Gaza Strip, including hospitals, schools, mosques, power stations, water plants, etc. The people of the Gaza Strip face a lack of water, electricity, food and medicine, and live in fear and despair.
The suffering of the Palestinians is not a one-off event. For too long, they have lived under Israeli military occupation and blockade and have been denied access to basic human rights and freedoms. Their land has been continuously encroached upon by Israel and settlements have been built, their movement and access have been severely restricted and checked, and their economic and social development has been severely hampered. Their legitimate aspirations for national self-determination and statehood have been ignored and rejected by Israel and the United States.
In the face of the continued escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it is incumbent upon the international community to act by calling for a ceasefire and promoting peace. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly called on both sides to immediately stop the violence and avoid further humanitarian catastrophes. He also sent Warnesrand, a special envoy for Middle East peace, to the region to mediate with the parties and seek the possibility of a ceasefire. The European Union, the Arab League, Turkey and other countries and organizations have also expressed their concern over the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, calling on both sides to protect civilians, resume dialogue, and abide by international law.
However, the appeals and efforts of the international community are not enough to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. More countries and forces, especially the United States, are needed to shoulder their responsibilities, abandon unilateralism and double standards, and handle the Palestinian-Israeli issue just and peacefully. Only in this way can hope be brought to the Palestinians and peace to the Middle East region.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is a complex historical and current issue, the root cause of which lies in Israel's oppression and deprivation of the Palestinian people, and its way out lies in the realization of the legitimate rights and interests of the Palestinian people. The U.S. veto is not only a disservice to the Palestinians, but also a challenge to international order and justice. The international community should unite to support the just cause of the Palestinians, promote a political settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli issue, realize the two-State solution, and establish an independent, complete and sovereign Palestinian State living side by side in peace with Israel. The United States vetoed the Security Council draft resolution on a Palestinian-Israeli ceasefire