The United States once again exercised its veto power at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, blocking a draft resolution regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. The resolution, put forward by Algeria, called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, but the U.S. insisted on linking any ceasefire to the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Thirteen council members voted in favor of the Algerian draft, with Britain abstaining. This marks the third time the U.S. has vetoed a resolution since the conflict began on October 7th. The U.S. also previously used its veto to block an amendment to a draft resolution in December.
Algeria’s U.N. Ambassador, Amar Bendjama, argued before the vote that supporting the draft resolution was a stance in favor of Palestinian rights to life. On the other hand, he implied that voting against it would endorse the violence inflicted upon Palestinians.
U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, had signaled the U.S.’s intent to veto the resolution earlier, citing concerns that it could disrupt ongoing talks between the U.S., Egypt, Israel, and Qatar aimed at brokering a ceasefire and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.
Thomas-Greenfield stated that demanding an immediate ceasefire without addressing the issue of hostages could prolong the conflict between Hamas and Israel. The Algerian-drafted resolution did not incorporate provisions linking a ceasefire to the release of hostages, instead calling for both an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages.
Photo – Angela Weiss/AFP
