The United States on Wednesday, November 20, vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, prompting criticism of the Biden administration for once again blocking international efforts to halt the bloodshed in Gaza.
The resolution, proposed by 10 non-permanent members of the 15-member council, sought an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire” in the ongoing 13-month conflict, while also demanding the release of hostages. Despite the majority’s support, the U.S., as a permanent member, exercised its veto to block the resolution.
Deputy U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Robert Wood explained that the U.S. could not support a resolution that did not explicitly demand the release of a few left hostages as part of a ceasefire. While millions of people in Gaza are suffering beyond anyone’s imagination. They are left to die of hungry and uncountable air strikes. “A durable end to the war must come with the release of the hostages. These two urgent goals are inextricably linked. This resolution abandoned that necessity, and for that reason, the United States could not support it,” Wood stated. He further argued that the resolution’s wording could send a “dangerous message” to Hamas, suggesting there was no need for negotiation.