UNITED NATIONS: UN Safety Council members criticised the USA on Wednesday (Jun 5) after it vetoed a decision calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian entry in Gaza, which Washington stated undermined ongoing diplomacy.
It was the 15-member physique’s first vote on the state of affairs since November, when the US – a key Israeli ally – additionally blocked a textual content calling for an finish to preventing.
“Right this moment, the USA despatched a powerful message by vetoing a counterproductive UN Safety Council decision on Gaza focusing on Israel,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in a press release after Wednesday’s 14 to 1 vote.
He stated Washington wouldn’t assist any textual content that “attracts a false equivalence between Israel and Hamas, or disregards Israel’s proper to defend itself.
“The US will proceed to face with Israel on the UN.”
The draft decision had demanded “an instantaneous, unconditional and everlasting ceasefire in Gaza revered by all events”.
It additionally referred to as for the “rapid, dignified and unconditional launch of all hostages held by Hamas and different teams”, and demanded the lifting of all restrictions on the entry of humanitarian help into Gaza.
Hamas, whose unprecedented assault inside Israel on Oct 7, 2023 sparked the warfare, condemned the “disgraceful” US veto, reiterating accusations of “genocide” in Gaza, one thing Israel vehemently rejects.
The veto “marks a brand new stain on the moral document of the USA of America,” the group stated in a press release, accusing Washington of “legitimising genocide, supporting aggression, and rationalising hunger, destruction, and mass killings”.
