The Security Council rejected two resolution projects on Gaza on Wednesday, one presented by the United States and the other presented by Russia.
Russia and China, permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, opposed this Wednesday, October 25, 2023, their veto to a US resolution project calling for “humanitarian breaks” in the Gaza Strip and to set up safe corridors.
Moscow and Beijing voted against this draft resolution concerning the climbing of tensions between Israel and Gaza presented to the United Nations Security Council by the US party.
The draft resolution condemns the attack by Hamas on October 7, supports the law of the Zionist state to defend itself and calls for the immediate release of prisoners held by the Palestinian resistance. The document contained no call to a ceasefire.
The draft resolution “unequivocally condemns the horrible terrorist attack” launched against Israel “by Hamas and other terrorist groups”, confirms “the inalienable law of all countries to individual and collective self -defense” and calls for respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.
Ten members of the Security Council voted for the resolution, two abstained (Mozambique and Brazil). In addition to Russia and China, the United Arab Emirates voted against the document.
The Security Council then examined another resolution project calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, this time presented by Russia. This text did not bring together enough votes in favor.
There were four votes for (China, Gabon, Russia and the United Arab Emirates), two votes against (United States and United Kingdom) and nine abstentions (Albania, Brazil, Ecuador, France, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland).
Monday, October 16, a previous draft resolution presented by Russia calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” had been rejected to the Council, because it did not explicitly mention Hamas.
On Wednesday 18 October, the United States vetoed a text presented by Brazil which called for “humanitarian breaks” to provide help to millions of people in the Gaza Strip. The United States has criticized the text for not mentioning the right of Israel for defending itself.
