There has been growing criticism of the United States’ veto of a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Rights groups and aid organizations, as well as the leader of the Palestinian Authority, strongly condemned the move, warning that it would only prolong the suffering in the enclave.
Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority, called the United States “aggressive and unethical” and labeled the veto as “a mark of shame.” He also criticized the U.S. as being complicit in the suffering of the Palestinian people.
While Biden administration officials have acknowledged the need for Israel to do more to limit civilian casualties and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, frustration has grown among U.S. allies who see Washington’s continued support for Israel despite the escalating humanitarian crisis.
Many officials across the Middle East have been urging an immediate stop to Israel’s offensive, with some, like Jordan’s foreign minister Ayman Safadi, referring to it as a “massacre.”
Despite the U.S. veto, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and an Arab delegation discussed efforts to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during a meeting in Washington. Mr. Blinken also mentioned the goal of establishing a future Palestinian state alongside Israel, without specifically addressing the issue of a cease-fire.
In a statement, Qatar, which was part of the Arab delegation, reiterated calls for an immediate cease-fire and rejected Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, thanked the United States for its veto, arguing that a cease-fire would allow Hamas to regroup and plan more attacks.
Rights groups and aid organizations immediately criticized the U.S. for casting its vote against humanity. The United Nations has warned that Gaza is on the brink of a total breakdown in social order as its 2.2 million civilians are pushed to the limit of survival.
The U.S. veto has led to further condemnation, with some accusing the U.S. of being complicit in war crimes and questioning its commitment to protecting civilians in Gaza.
The United States has argued that a cease-fire would leave Hamas in place and that Israel has a right to defend itself. The U.N. Security Council’s 13 other member states voted for the resolution, except for Britain, which abstained.
Hamas condemned the U.S. veto, accusing the Biden administration of being an accomplice in the killing of the Palestinian people.