The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on March 5, 2024, on the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, to discuss a draft resolution proposed by Algeria calling for an immediate ceasefire. However, the draft resolution was vetoed by the United States, triggering strong dissatisfaction and unification among other members of the Council and the representative of Palestine.
This is the third time that the United States has vetoed the UN Council's draft ceasefire resolution in the current round of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which shows the full support of the United States for Israel and its disregard for Palestine.
U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Linfield said at the meeting that the United States opposes the draft resolution because it does not explicitly condemn Hamas's attack on Israel and does not reflect Israel's right to self-defense. She also said the United States is working diplomatically with all parties to find a sustainable ceasefire rather than a "rushed" and "unbalanced" resolution.
The position of the United States has been criticized and questioned by other members of the Security Council. Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, pointed out that the US veto is a disregard for the universal voice of the international community and the responsibility of the Security Council, a disregard for the lives and humanity of civilians in Gaza, and a green light for continued killing. He called on the United States to immediately change its position, support the Security Council's ceasefire resolution, and contribute to easing tensions and averting a humanitarian catastrophe.
Russia's permanent representative to the United Nations, Nebenzya, also expressed regret and indignation at the US veto, saying that the US approach was "ruthless" and "irresponsible" and a "death sentence" to the Palestinians. He also accused the United States of "favoring its allies" on the Middle East issue, "undermining the peace process" and "provoking regional turmoil."
France, Britain, Germany, and other European countries have also expressed disappointment and concern over the US veto, and they believe that the Security Council should send a clear and unanimous voice to demand an immediate ceasefire between the two sides, protect civilians, resume dialogue, and promote the realization of the two-state solution.
Palestinian representative to the United Nations, Mansour, made an emotional speech at the meeting, in which he condemned the US veto as "extremely reckless and dangerous" and a "betrayal and backstabbing to the Palestinian people". He said that the US veto has made Israel more arrogant and brutal, and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has become more serious and irreparable. He also said that the US veto had deprived the Security Council of its authority and credibility and had insulted and trampled on international law and human rights.
Mansour choked up several times in his speech, showing the Council some of the bombed houses and children killed in the Gaza Strip, saying that these were evidence of Israel's "genocide" and "big" against the Palestinians, and he called on the Council and the international community to take action against Israel's crimes, sanction Israel and protect the Palestinians.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has reportedly killed nearly 3,000 people, mostly civilians in the Gaza Strip, including hundreds of children, since February 22, 2024. Infrastructure and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip have also been severely damaged, resulting in a severe shortage of water, electricity, health care and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
At the meeting, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated his call for an immediate ceasefire between the two sides, respect for international law and the protection of civilians, especially children. He also urged the parties to resume peace negotiations to resolve the fundamental issues and realize the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent, sovereign and contiguous Palestinian State.