2023-12-09 00:49:00
The United States on Friday vetoed a Security Council resolution calling for a “ immediate humanitarian ceasefire ” in Gaza, despite pressure from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who denounced before this vote the ” punition collective » inflicted on the Palestinians.
Published on: 08/12/2023 – 23:49Modified on: 09/12/2023 – 04:39
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The draft resolution received 13 votes in favor – including that of allies such as France and Japan -, one against, the United States, and one abstention, the United Kingdom. It had been prepared by the United Arab Emirates after Antonio Guterres’ unprecedented invocation on Wednesday of Article 99 of the United Nations Charter, allowing the Secretary-General to draw the attention of the Council to a file which “ could endanger the maintenance of international peace and security ».
Called into question for its aggression against Ukraine, Russia did not hold back from emphasizing American isolation.
But the Americans, allies of Israel, repeated their hostility to a cease-fire on Friday. “ We do not support calls for an immediate ceasefire “, insisted Deputy American Ambassador Robert Wood. “ This would only plant the seeds for future war, because Hamas has no desire for lasting peace. “, he added, also deploring the lack of condemnation of the Hamas attacks of October 7, a ” moral failure ».
John Kirby, the head of strategic communications for the National Security Council, used a single word to comment on the draft resolution presented in New York, “ non »: No, the United States has not changed its position and not the ceasefire proposed by the United Arab Emirates, reports our correspondent in Washington, Guillaume Naudin.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan welcomed the American veto. He estimated that “ the true path to peace is only to support Israel’s mission, absolutely not a call for a ceasefire ».
I thank the United States and President Biden for standing firmly by our side, today and showing their leadership and values. On this Hanukkah holiday, a little of the light dispelled a lot of the darkness.
It is shocking that while Hamas is firing rockets at Israel from…
— Ambassador Gilad Erdan (@giladerdan1) December 8, 2023
The draft resolution, emphasizing the “ catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip “, demanded “ an immediate humanitarian ceasefire “. The very short text also called for the protection of civilians, for the liberation “ immediate and unconditional » of all the hostages and to “ ensure humanitarian access “. Putting pressure on the members of the Council, Antonio Guterres justified the invocation of article 99 on Friday morning by once again emphasizing the risk of “ total breakdown of public order » in the Gaza Strip. “ I condemn without reservation » the Hamas attacks of October 7, but “ the violence perpetrated by Hamas cannot in any way justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people “, did he declare.
Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour said: “ The time for courage has come (…) You must act now “. And in Washington, the foreign ministers of several Arab countries and Turkey had called for an end “ immediate ” of the war.
Third American veto since the start of the war
This is the third time that the United States has used its veto power since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas more than two months ago. The reasons given: the haste with which the text was presented, the lack of condemnation of Hamas and Israel’s right to defend itself against a terrorist attack. For the United States, a ceasefire now would allow Hamas to reorganize and resume its attacks against the Jewish state.
Under pressure from the left wing and the youth of his party, US President Joe Biden is highlighting his efforts to obtain humanitarian pauses and ask Israel for better treatment of civilians. But not to the point of changing the traditional position of the country and historically widely shared by American voters. That of unwavering support for Israel.
(With AFP)
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