Date: October 25, 2023
New York, United Nations – The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) found itself divided on a critical resolution aimed at addressing the Israel-Hamas conflict and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The United States put forward a draft resolution, calling for a humanitarian pause to allow aid access, ensure the safety of residents, and block the arming of Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. However, this resolution faced strong opposition from two permanent Security Council members, Russia and China.
Read more:US vetoes in support of Israel, United Nation resolution in support of Palestine fails
Failure to Achieve Consensus
The UNSC’s inability to reach a unified position has raised concerns about the ongoing crisis in Palestine. The Kremlin and Washington have accused each other of pursuing political interests and not consulting with other council members, further complicating the situation.
This development follows the recent US veto of a Pro-Palestine resolution, and now, the US-sponsored resolution failed to pass due to a negative vote by Russia and China.
Differing Perspectives
Russia’s rationale for blocking the resolution was based on its claim that the resolution failed to condemn Palestinian deaths. To pass, the resolution required the support of at least nine council members.
The Chinese envoy argued that they vetoed the US resolution because it was imbalanced and lacked strong calls for a ceasefire. They contended that the resolution failed to address the root causes of the crisis in Gaza.
The Outcome
In the voting, ten council members supported the US-led resolution, while China, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) voted against it. Brazil and Mozambique abstained.
With the ‘no’ vote from one of the five permanent UNSC members, the resolution did not move forward. These permanent members include China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
This deadlock in the UNSC has added to the ongoing challenges in addressing the Gaza and Israel crisis. A second draft resolution, led by Russia, is set to be considered by the Council soon.
Last week, a Russian-led draft resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” was voted down, and the following Wednesday, the United States vetoed a Brazilian-led text that urged “humanitarian pauses” to deliver aid to millions in the Gaza Strip.
It’s important to note that draft resolutions do not represent the official position of the 15-member Security Council until adopted.
The situation remains complex, with over 80 countries expressing their concerns during an open debate at the UN Security Council about the escalating crisis between Israel and Palestine. The crisis continues to pose a threat to regional stability and beyond.
