US-Drafted UN Security Council Resolution On Gaza 'Ceasefire' Vetoed By China and Russia

China and Russia on Friday vetoed a US-backed draft resolution at the UN Security Council on a ceasefire in Gaza, with Moscow accusing Washington of a “hypocritical spectacle” that does not pressure Israel.

Both countries exercised their veto against the resolution, which would have spoken of the “imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire” and condemned the October 7 attack by Hamas. There were 11 votes in favour, three against and one abstained.

This US draft resolution stated it is “imperative” to have “an immediate and sustained ceasefire to protect civilians on all sides”, facilitate “essential” aid delivery and support ongoing talks between Israel and Hamas.

Last month, the US used veto power to quash Algeria’s draft resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and presented a rival text that would have condemned Hamas but also supported a temporary ceasefire. Back then, 13 countries were in favour of the resolution. The Biden administration based its opposition on the need to not interfere with “sensitive ongoing negotiations” and introduced a separate resolution condemning Hamas.

‘Hard work of diplomacy’

Before the vote on the draft, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that Washington wants to see an immediate and sustained ceasefire. But, “we have to do the hard work of diplomacy” to make that aim a reality and it has to be made “real on the ground”. This is why the negotiations are going on in Qatar which will lead to a sustainable ceasefire and she said we are close “but we are not there yet unfortunately,” she said.

The US envoy said the resolution would help put pressure on Hamas to agree to a deal on ending the fighting and releasing hostages. She argued that the resolution would at long last condemn Hamas but also alleviate the terrible suffering and violence wracking Gaza. It also highlights that an invasion of Rafah would be a mistake.

‘Sell a product’

Russia’s Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said that the US had promised an agreement to end the fighting time and time again. Now, the US has finally recognized the need for a ceasefire, when more than 30,000 Gazans have already died, he said. He said the US was trying to “sell a product” to the Council by using the word imperative in its resolution. “This is not enough” and the Council must “demand a ceasefire” he declared.

He said there was no call for a ceasefire in the text, accusing US leadership of “deliberately misleading the international community.” The draft is just playing to US voters he said, “to throw them a bone” with a false ceasefire call. If you pass this resolution, he told ambassadors, “you will cover yourselves in disgrace,” the Russian envoy added.

What Was The New US Resolution Calling For?

• Made imperative for an immediate and sustained ceasefire with an “urgent need to expand the flow of humanitarian assistance” to all civilians and lifting “all barriers” to delivering aid at scale to Gazans.
• Condemned all acts of terrorism including the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October, the taking and killing of hostages, murder of civilians, sexual violence and condemns the use of civilian buildings for military purposes.
• Rejected any forced displacement of civilians in Gaza.
• Demanded that Hamas and other armed groups immediately grant humanitarian access to all remaining hostages.
• Demanded all parties respect humanitarian notification and deconfliction mechanisms in place to prevent civilian deaths.
• Rejected any action by Israel that could “reduce the territory of Gaza” and condemned calls from some Israeli ministers for the resettlement of Gaza or demographic changes.
• Reaffirmed condemnation of the ongoing attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen on shipping in the Red Sea.
• Reiterated the Security Council’s “unwavering commitment to the vision of the two-State solution”.