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Russia and China wielded their veto power on Friday to block a US-led draft resolution at the United Nations Security Council calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution, proposed by the United States, aimed to endorse “the imperative of an immediate and sustained ceasefire” and condemn Hamas for its October 7 attack.
Despite receiving support from the majority of Security Council members, including permanent members France and Britain, the resolution was blocked by Russia and China, with Algeria voting against and Guyana abstaining.
Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzia criticized the US for what he termed a “hypocritical spectacle,” accusing Washington of failing to pressure Israel while Gaza suffers. Nebenzia derided the resolution as overly politicized and aimed at appeasing voters rather than addressing the root causes of the conflict.
He argued that the resolution would only serve to shield Israel from accountability for its actions in Gaza, where he claimed significant devastation has occurred.
The draft resolution linked a ceasefire to ongoing negotiations facilitated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, with the goal of securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.
US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield condemned the Russian and Chinese vetoes as both cynical and petty. She accused the two countries of obstructing the resolution simply because it was authored by the United States, asserting that they were not actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to achieve lasting peace or provide humanitarian assistance.
The deadlock at the Security Council underscores the deep divisions among member states regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of achieving consensus on addressing the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
While the US-led resolution aimed to bring an end to hostilities and address humanitarian concerns, the opposing viewpoints represented by Russia and China highlight the complexities of international diplomacy and the divergent interests at play in the Middle East.
