T. Belman. Included was “7. Demands the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address medical needs of all hostages;”
OAN’s Brooke Mallory Friday, December 22, 2023
A resolution calling for emergency aid for Gazans was approved by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on Friday by a vote of 13-0, however, it did not ask for a halt to the warfare.
Both Russia and the United States chose not to exercise their veto authority and did not participate in the voting. The resolution’s phrasing had reportedly prompted the United States to object.
In a confusing move, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called the resolution “very strong” and noted that it had not been watered down, despite not voting in favor of it.
“Today, this council called for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for sustainable cessation of hostilities,” she said. “I’ll note that this is the first time this council has used this language. We believe it is critical to scaling up aid and underscoring the tough steps ahead as we work together to achieve a lasting peace.”
Thomas-Greenfield pointed out on Thursday that no further alterations to the draft resolution are allowed until the United States accepts the resolution.
Previously, the United States has maintained that any resolution must denounce Hamas for their attack on Israel on October 7th, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people. The terrorist group kidnapped more than 200 Israeli citizens.
That being said, Hamas is not denounced in the resolution.
“Ultimately, while we are encouraged that the council spoke out on this humanitarian crisis, we’re deeply disappointed, appalled actually, that once again, the council was not able to condemn Hamas’ horrific terrorist attack on October 7th and I can’t understand why some council members are standing in the way and why they refuse to condemn these evils unequivocally,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
The U.S. representative is one of the Security Council’s fifteen members, and she is one of the five that have veto power.
Ten days have passed since the UN General Assembly approved an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire.”
With 153 countries voting in favor, the resolution was approved. However, ten countries, including the U.S., voted against the resolution.
According to U.N. reports, since hostilities began, at least 20,000 people have died in Gaza. COMMENT: NO THISW IS WHAT HAMAS CLAIMS. DID THE UN AFFIRM IT?
We should loudly point out that the other three countries with a veto, namely UK, France and China, voted for the resolution. This fact needs to be factored into future politics, especially if the UN decides to remove Israeli membership and then allow Palestinian membership in the freshly empty seat.