War between Israel and Hamas: two new resolutions rejected at the UN Security Council

Members of the UN Security Council are again trying to reach an agreement. On Wednesday, the body further demonstrated its divisions on the Israeli-Palestinian issue by rejecting two competing Russian and American draft resolutions on the war between Israel and Hamas.

The text, drafted by the United States, calls for a “rapid expansion of assistance” in response to the “dire, urgent humanitarian needs of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip,” explained US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield. He also reaffirmed the “right of all states to self-defense” and called for “humanitarian pauses.”

The Hamas attack in Israel on October 7 and the Israeli army’s crackdown in the Gaza Strip have so far killed more than 1,400 people in Israel and more than 6,500 in the Palestinian territory, authorities said. to the Islamist movement, mainly civilians on both sides.

Russian and Chinese veterinarians

The American resolution was blocked by Russian and Chinese vetoes: 10 votes in favor, 3 against (Russia, China and the United Arab Emirates) and 2 abstentions. Chinese Ambassador Jun Zhang described the document as “largely unbalanced, mixing good and evil,” while Russian Vasily Nebenzya condemned the text as mainly “intended to consolidate American positions in the region.” Earlier, Russia condemned the absence of a clear call for a “truce” in the American text.

“While today’s vote is a setback, we are not discouraged,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, on the contrary, accusing Russia of “bad faith” because its resolution is aimed more at “dividing the Council to meet the needs of Israelis and Palestinians.”

This second text, prepared by Russia and calling for an immediate “humanitarian ceasefire” and condemning the “heinous attacks of Hamas”, was also rejected with only 4 votes in favor (Russia, China, United Arab Emirates, USA, Gabon). two against (USA and UK) and 9 abstentions. The UK could not support a text “that once again failed to recognize Israel’s right to self-defence”, British Ambassador Barbara Woodward said.

Four resolutions rejected

In less than two weeks, the council rejected four draft resolutions, exposing its divisions and causing frustration among some diplomats over the council’s failure to act on the 19th day of the war between Israel and Hamas. France also tried in vain on the eve of the vote to persuade Russia and the United States to withdraw their texts, a diplomatic source said.

On behalf of the 10 non-permanent countries on the Council, Malta will now work on a new proposal. “We have a duty and an obligation to act,” said Ambassador Vanessa Fraser. Last week, the first Russian text was not adopted, receiving five votes in its favor, although at least nine votes are needed (without the veto of one of the five permanent members). The United States vetoed Brazil’s resolution, which received 12 votes in its favor.

Facing a clear split in the Security Council, the UN General Assembly, whose resolutions are non-binding, will take up the issue on Thursday and Friday. On behalf of the Arab group, Jordan proposed a text that calls, among other things, for an “immediate ceasefire” and “unhindered” humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.

193 member states will vote on this text. “Friday afternoon, and we hope for success that will allow the General Assembly to act while the Security Council is paralyzed,” Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour said on Wednesday.