On Tuesday evening, the UN Security Council, with its 15 member states, was to vote on a new resolution demanding that the hostilities on the Gaza Strip stop immediately. Close to 20,000 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the war broke out on 7 October this year. This is shown by figures from the Hamas-controlled health authorities. Tuesday’s draft, which is promoted by the United Arab Emirates, demands unimpeded deliveries of emergency aid to Gaza and the release of all Hamas hostages. For the resolution to be adopted by the Security Council, he must be supported by at least nine member states. In addition, none of the five veto powers – USA, Russia, China, France and Great Britain – can veto. The Palestinians’ UN envoy Riyad Mansour in talks with representatives from China, Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates following Tuesday’s meeting. Photo: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP Tough negotiations The vote on the cease-fire in Gaza was scheduled to take place on Monday, but was postponed until today. Now it has been postponed again. AFP writes, citing diplomatic sources. The postponement is due to the Security Council struggling to come up with a wording that the member states can agree on. It is the USA in particular that “sits on the fence”. In order to get the US on board, the Security Council cooperates with the veto power on a draft that all parties can stand for. – We are in constructive discussions with our colleagues in the Swedish Security Council to solve problems linked to the resolution, said Matthew Miller earlier today. The spokesperson for the US Foreign Ministry further states that the US supports a resolution that addresses humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, but emphasizes that the details in the text are all important. Israel, for its part, has been clear that it is strongly against a resolution that contains the word “ceasefire”. They have preferred the words “pause” and “humanitarian ceasefire” instead. Condemning the attack The 15 member states held a meeting on Tuesday afternoon where the US representative used the speaking time to condemn Hamas’s attack on Israel and focus on the Israeli hostages. – The horrific actions of Hamas on 7 October must be condemned. We must ensure justice for victims who have been subjected to horrific sexual violence by Hamas both during and after the attack, said Robert A. Wood. He went on to say that a two-state solution is the only thing that can ensure long-term peace between the parties. US representative Robert A. Wood spoke to the Security Council and emphasized that the country believes a two-state solution is the only thing that can ensure long-term peace between the parties. Photo: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP The USA vetoed the Security Council’s vote on 8 December this year to demand an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza. The proposal did not go through because the United States vetoed it. This is despite the fact that 13 out of 15 countries voted for the proposal. Set aside from the USA’s no, the UK chose not to vote. Close bond The United States is Israel’s most important ally, but the war in Gaza is now testing the close bond between the two countries. The US will prevent an escalation of the war and has particularly pressured Israel to protect civilians and secure more emergency aid into the Gaza Strip. Israel, for its part, wants to destroy Hamas. President Joe Biden warned Israel last week that the country was about to lose international support due to the extensive bombing of Gaza. Despite the disagreement, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized during his visit to Israel this week that the US stands firmly by Israel’s side. – I am coming with a clear message that the US’s support for Israel’s security is unwavering. And Israel is not alone, he said during the press conference in Tel Aviv on Monday. US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin at a press conference together with Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Monday 18 December 2023. Photo: VIOLETA SANTOS MOURA / Reuters The US has stated several times that it does not want war, but nevertheless supports Israel morally, militarily and financially . The Minister of Defense promised that they will continue to supply Israel with weapons and other equipment necessary to defend their country. This applies to war materiel, tactical vehicles and air defense systems. Closed money tap Going against Israel can have enormous consequences for American leaders. Yet the US has done this twice before. In 1953, then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered to stop money transfers to Israel due to a disputed excavation project that led to tensions between Israel and Jordan. The money tap was stopped – so was the digging project. Four decades later, President George HW Bush did the same because he believed that Israel’s behavior harmed the interests of the country and threatened stability in the region. The decision to withhold money was met with massive criticism and the sitting president was not re-elected.
ttn-69
Gaza vote in the UN Security Council postponed again – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
