US vetoes Russian bid to permanent ceasefire in UNSC Gaza resolution
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After days of delays, the resolution also called for the development of "conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities" but it did not call for an immediate ceasefire.
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People gather during the Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters, Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in New York reported today that the US vetoed a Russian amendment to a UNSC resolution on Gaza calling for an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities."
Following the US Veto, the United Nations Security Council voted instead to endorse a resolution demanding the "safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale," under UNSC Resolution 2722.
After numerous delays, the resolution also called for the development of "conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities" but it did not call for an immediate ceasefire.
Russia and the United States abstained, meaning it passed with 13 votes in favor, as Russia appealed for an immediate ceasefire.
The resolution urges "all sides" to "allow and facilitate the use of all... routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip, including border crossings... for the provision of humanitarian assistance."
It also proposes that a UN humanitarian coordinator be appointed to supervise and verify supplies coming into Gaza, with an earlier draft stating the aid system for accelerating relief distribution would be "exclusively" under UN authority.
It is now stated that it would be managed in conjunction with "all relevant parties," implying that "Israel" will retain operational control over assistance supplies.
Gaza authorities reported that "Israel" bombed a newly opened passageway for aid.
Russia, citing the American delegation's efforts, cautions that the revised document includes a dangerous element for Gaza's future by substituting the critical call for an immediate ceasefire with an unclear term, according to Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia on Friday.
"Through the efforts of the American delegation, that draft resolution has included an extremely dangerous element for the future of Gaza," Nebenzia expressed, adding that rather than use working for an immediate end of violence, " [an] ambiguous phrase has appeared calling for the parties to create conditions for a cessation of hostilities."
Nebenzia explained that the US resorted to its "favorite tactic of gross pressure, blackmail and twisting arms" which resulted in the wording of the draft resolution on Gaza "significantly neutered."
UN chief says Israeli offensive 'real problem' in Gaza aid delivery
Following a Security Council resolution that called for substantial assistance deliveries, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres declared on Friday that "Israel's" offensive was the "real problem... creating massive obstacles" to humanitarian shipments.
"The real problem is that the way Israel is conducting this offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza," he said.
"A humanitarian ceasefire is the only way to begin to meet the desperate needs of people in Gaza and end their ongoing nightmare."
US pressuring Switzerland to ignore Israeli war crimes
While "Israel" continues to massacre civilians unpunished, US State Department officials are discreetly attempting to impede efforts to increase global pressure on the occupation.
State Department documents obtained by HuffPost indicate how US diplomats are finalizing a démarche to Switzerland that Washington hopes will cancel the preparations for an event to discuss Israeli violations of the Geneva Conventions in Palestine.
Formal rulings that "Israel" breached the treaties in its US-backed war in Gaza would be a severe worldwide condemnation of both parties and would support the accusations of human rights groups that have amassed evidence that stands as proof of such violations.
Switzerland, which has always been neutral, decides when meetings of the parties concerned to discuss compliance take place.
According to State Department documents and a source familiar with the Palestinian effort, Palestinian diplomats and a group of UN member states, including some European nations allied with the US, are preparing a call for Switzerland to launch such a conference focused on the war in Gaza.
Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Commission of Jurists all endorse the urgent meeting. The Biden administration, however, plans on lobbying Swiss counterparts to stop the conference.
Internal memos obtained by HuffPost encourage US diplomats to express "serious concern" about the Palestinian initiative and present several counter-arguments.
Michael Sfard, an Israeli lawyer, expressed the true reason behind the US fears, saying, “Because America is supporting the Israeli campaign, it will be affected by anything that charges 'Israel' with crimes or demands that Israel adhere to something."
