Palestine strongly condemned the United States on Thursday for once again vetoing a draft resolution at the UN Security Council that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The move, which shielded Israel from international diplomatic pressure, came despite the backing of all 14 other Council members.Palestinian envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour denounced Washington’s decision, describing the resolution as “the bare minimum that humanity, legality and morality dictate.”
He warned that the veto had left Palestinians unprotected as civilians continue to face famine, displacement, and what he described as genocide. “It is deeply regrettable and painful that it has been blocked, preventing the Security Council from playing its rightful role in the face of these atrocities,” Mansour told the Council.The resolution, initiated in August following the UN’s official declaration of famine in Gaza, demanded “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire respected by all parties,” along with the release of all hostages.
The vote took place as Israeli tanks and warplanes intensified a new ground offensive on Gaza City, driving thousands of Palestinians to flee south in search of safety.Calling for an end to what he described as selective concern for human suffering, Mansour urged the Council to address the plight of Palestinians with the same urgency afforded to others.
“A ceasefire saves the lives of Palestinians and Israelis, hostages and prisoners alike,” he said.The United States has consistently rejected similar proposals throughout the nearly two-year-long conflict, most recently in June, when it used its veto to support Israel. Washington’s stance has underscored a deep geopolitical divide at the UN, where the overwhelming majority of member states favor an immediate halt to the fighting.
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