The US has once again shown its colours by vetoing the Algerian resolution at the United Nations Security Council, which called for an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing Israeli bombardment in Gaza.
The single vote against the resolution by the US is seen as an endorsement of the Israeli crimes committed against the Palestinians, leaving more than 30,000 people dead and over 2 million people under acute famine.
Despite overwhelming support from 13 council members, including close allies of the US, the resolution was vetoed by the lone dissenting vote from the United States, with the United Kingdom abstaining. This decision drew sharp rebukes from various nations and raised concerns about the US's commitment to humanitarian principles.
Algerian envoy to the UN, Amar Bendjama, condemned the US veto, asserting that it amounted to an endorsement of the ongoing violence and collective punishment inflicted upon Palestinians.
The resolution also called for the implementation of provisional measures ordered by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, directing Israel to mitigate its offensive actions, ensure the flow of aid into Gaza, and take action against Israeli politicians using genocidal language.
China's ambassador, Zhang Jun, criticized the US's passive approach to the ceasefire, likening it to giving a green light to the continued bloodshed. The US, however, defended its decision, citing ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a comprehensive hostage deal involving Israel, Egypt, and Qatar.
US envoy Linda Thomas-Greenfield argued that any action by the Security Council should support, not hinder, these delicate negotiations. She emphasized the need for an agreement requiring Hamas to release hostages, asserting that an immediate unconditional ceasefire without such an agreement could prolong the conflict.
The US presented an alternative resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire "as soon as practicable" and urging Israel not to proceed with a planned offensive on Rafah, a city in Gaza. However, this resolution is not expected to go to a vote for several days, further delaying efforts to address the crisis.
The US's veto comes at a crucial time as the international community prepares to commemorate the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The timing of the veto has sparked speculation about US double standards and its ability to effectively address global conflicts.
While some Security Council members expressed regret over the failure to adopt the Algerian resolution, others echoed the US's concerns about the need for a comprehensive ceasefire agreement involving all parties. France, Slovenia, and Switzerland, despite voting for the resolution, emphasized the humanitarian imperative of ending the violence in Gaza.
The UK's abstention from the vote reflected its position calling for an immediate suspension of fighting to facilitate aid delivery and hostage negotiations. However, UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward echoed the US's argument that simply calling for a ceasefire may not be sufficient and could potentially hinder negotiations.
The US's decision to share its alternative draft resolution with other council members before the vote was seen as an attempt to mitigate criticism and avoid signalling support for Israel's planned offensive on Rafah. However, the delay in formal deliberations on the US resolution underscores the challenges in finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Gaza.