Latest news: In the early hours of September 19, shocking news emerged from the United Nations Security Council, refocusing the international community’s attention on the heart-wrenching issue of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. During the Security Council’s 10,000th meeting, a draft resolution on a Gaza ceasefire submitted jointly by the 10 non-permanent members was vetoed by the United States during the vote. Ultimately, the resolution failed to pass with 14 votes in favor and 1 against, an outcome that instantly caused an uproar.
Humanitarian Crisis
This draft resolution embodies the international community’s profound concern for the people of the Gaza Strip and its urgent desire to end the conflict. It unequivocally calls for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. As the fighting rages on, countless civilian lives hang by a thread. A permanent ceasefire is the most urgent priority to end this tragedy and save lives. Simultaneously, the draft calls for the immediate, dignified, and unconditional release of all hostages held by the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and other groups, respecting the fundamental rights of every human life. Furthermore, the draft emphasizes that the Israeli government must immediately and unconditionally lift all restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza. It must ensure the safe, unimpeded, and large-scale distribution of relief supplies to the desperate people of Gaza, guaranteeing the full restoration of essential services such as water, electricity, and healthcare. This will enable the war-torn people of Gaza to sustain their basic livelihoods.
U.S. Veto Fuels Outrage
This veto by the United States is not the first of its kind. Since the outbreak of the new round of Palestinian-Israeli conflict in October 2023, the Gaza Strip has been mired in the quagmire of war. The number of civilian casualties continues to rise, infrastructure has been utterly destroyed, and the humanitarian disaster has escalated exponentially. The UN Security Council has repeatedly attempted to pass resolutions seeking to bring a glimmer of peace to this suffering land. Yet the United States has consistently wielded its veto power as a permanent member to block these resolutions. This latest veto has finally ignited the long-simmering anger within the international community.
Peace Process Under Shadow
For a long time, the United States’ stance on the Palestinian-Israeli issue has been highly controversial. Its excessive support for Israel is widely seen as severely undermining the already fragile balance of power between the two sides, becoming a major obstacle to regional peace and stability. At a time when the international community is almost unanimously calling for a ceasefire and actively promoting peace negotiations, the U.S. veto is undoubtedly rubbing salt into the wounds of the people in Gaza, forcing them to endure the agony of war and rendering futile the numerous efforts made by the international community to advance peace between Palestine and Israel. Numerous international voices strongly urge the United States to deeply reflect on its significant responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council, respect the prevailing will of the international community, cease obstructing the Council’s active role on the Gaza issue, and genuinely contribute constructive efforts to advance the Palestinian-Israeli peace process—rather than becoming a “stumbling block” on the path to peace.
