New York, March 22, 2024, The Europe Today: In the latest session of the UN Security Council, Russia and China employed their veto power to block a draft resolution spearheaded by the United States aimed at brokering a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
The proposed resolution, put forth by the US, sought to endorse an “immediate and sustained ceasefire” while condemning the October 7 attack by Hamas, marking a departure from previous US stances on ceasefire calls. However, Russia and China, alongside Algeria, voted against the resolution, with Guyana abstaining from the vote. Notably, France and Britain, among other council members, supported the resolution.
Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia criticized the US for what he termed a “hypocritical spectacle,” accusing Washington of failing to apply pressure on Israel while advocating for a ceasefire. Nebenzia derided the resolution as a politically motivated gesture aimed at appeasing voters, rather than addressing the dire situation in Gaza. He highlighted the omission of any assessment of Israel’s actions in the draft as evidence of its bias.
Nebenzia’s remarks underscored broader tensions within the Security Council regarding the handling of the Gaza crisis and the role of key stakeholders in the region. The failure to pass the resolution raises concerns about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the prospects for achieving a lasting ceasefire amidst escalating violence.
