The Brazil-drafted UN Security Council resolution advocating a ceasefire in the protracted Israel-Hamas clash was vetoed by the US on Wednesday. The resolution sought a momentary suspension of conflict to facilitate the provision of essential humanitarian aid to distressed civilians caught in the crossfire. Even though the resolution categorically condemned Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel, the US declined to back the resolution, citing its lack of recognition of Israel’s right to self-defense.
As per Article 51 of the UN Charter, countries have the fundamental right to individual or collective self-defense in the event of an armed onslaught. Following the recent infiltration by Hamas fighters into Israel, the US maintained that any resolution on the conflict must acknowledge Israel’s self-defense rights.
The only other countries on the 15-member Council to abstain were Russia and the UK. Russia’s reason for abstaining was the rejection of their earlier drafted resolution and amendments to the current one, which both called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a complete ceasefire.
The remaining members of the Security Council, including countries like China and the United Arab Emirates, voted in support of the resolution. Ambassador Sérgio França Danese of Brazil expressed his disappointment about the resolution’s failure, highlighting that the Council was yet again unable to break its silence and take action on the crisis. more details.