AFP – The United States (US) vetoed a United Nations (UN) Security Council resolution on Wednesday calling for a “humanitarian pause” in the raging Israel-Hamas conflict as the text did not respect Israel’s right to defend itself, the US ambassador said.
Twelve out of 15 Council members voted in favour of the resolution put forward by Brazil and negotiated over several days, while Russia and the United Kingdom abstained. The US was the only vote against, but as one of the body’s five permanent members its vote counts as a veto.
“The US is disappointed this resolution made no mention of Israel’s rights of self defence,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote.
The resolution said the Council “firmly condemns all violence and hostilities against civilians and all acts of terrorism”.
It said the body “unequivocally rejects and condemns the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas… and the taking of hostages”.
The text also “urges all parties to fully comply with their obligations under international law”.
The Security Council on Monday rejected a Russian resolution condemning spiraling violence in the Middle East.
