Posted on 11/20/24
| News Source: Arutz-7
The United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza without preconditions for the release of the hostages was blocked by a US veto today (Wednesday).
An American official told reporters ahead of the vote that the US would only support a resolution calling for a ceasefire if the ceasefire was conditioned on the return of the hostages. “As we stated many times before, we just can’t support an unconditional ceasefire that does not call for the immediate release of hostage," the official stated.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon thanked the US for standing with Israel at the UN. "Today, a shameful attempt to abandon our kidnapped men and women by the UN was prevented. Thanks to the US, we stood firm with our position that there will be no ceasefire without the release of the hostages. We will continue in this struggle until everyone returns home."
Ambassador Danon criticized the Security Council members who supported the resolution, saying, "You have reached a new low. You have failed to uphold the principles of justice and peace and to fulfill your basic responsibility for the benefit of those who need you. The decision that was brought before this Council was a decision that supports Hamas terrorism."
14 countries voted in favor of the Algerian delegation's resolution, but the US veto defeated it.
The resolution called for an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” to end the war in Gaza, irrespective of the fate of the hostages who remain in custody or whether such a ceasefire would allow Hamas to remain in power and recover from its losses to attack Israel again. It separately called for the release of the hostages, but did not connect the issues of the hostages and the ceasefire.
The World Jewish Congress also praised the US for vetoing the resolution, stating, “We express our deep gratitude to the United States for issuing a veto of today’s United Nations Security Council Resolution, which failed to acknowledge the horrific terrorist attacks led by Hamas on 7 October 2023 and unjustly placed pressure on Israel rather than holding Hamas accountable for the current situation in Gaza. We also deeply appreciate that the United States spoke firmly during the Security Council session, emphasizing that Hamas remains the obstacle to a ceasefire agreement."
“The proposed resolution neglected to condition a ceasefire on the release of the remaining hostages being held in Gaza. This would have effectively rewarded Hamas for their actions on October 7th. It also omitted critical demands that Iran and its proxies halt arms smuggling. Additionally, the inclusion of false claims that Israel is depriving Palestinians of basic services ignores Hamas’s exploitation of its population and misuse of resources for terror.
“More than a year after the tragic events of October 7th, Israel continues to defend its citizens, and the international community continues to overlook the ongoing threat posed by terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Achieving lasting peace requires a decisive rejection of terrorism," the WJC stated.
“The UN and its member states must prioritize efforts to secure the release of hostages and address the enduring danger that Hamas poses—not only to Israel but also to the Palestinian people. It is time the Security Council acknowledges the culprits of this situation and designate Hamas for what it is – a terrorist organization.”
Voting in favor of the unconditional ceasefire not predicated on releasing the hostages were 4 of the 5 permanent Security Council members: China, France, Russian Federation and the United Kingdom and all ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly: Algeria, Ecuador, Guyana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia and Switzerland.