NEW YORK – The United States today vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional permanent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Fourteen Security Council members voted for the resolution, introduced by 10 non-permanent members of the Security Council.
The veto marks the fourth time the U.S. has rejected a one-sided Security Council resolution calling for an end to the war since the October 7th terrorist attack by Hamas that took the lives of over 1,200 people and resulted in more than 200 hostages being taken to Gaza—101 of which remain.
The World Jewish Congress released the following statement:
“We express our deep gratitude to the United States for issuing a veto of today’s United Nations Security Council Resolution, which failed to acknowledge the horrific terrorist attacks led by Hamas on 7 October 2023 and unjustly placed pressure on Israel rather than holding Hamas accountable for the current situation in Gaza. We also deeply appreciate that the United States spoke firmly during the Security Council session, emphasizing that Hamas remains the obstacle to a ceasefire agreement.
“The proposed resolution neglected to condition a ceasefire on the release of the remaining hostages being held in Gaza. This would have effectively rewarded Hamas for their actions on October 7th. It also omitted critical demands that Iran and its proxies halt arms smuggling. Additionally, the inclusion of false claims that Israel is depriving Palestinians of basic services ignores Hamas’s exploitation of its population and misuse of resources for terror.
“More than a year after the tragic events of October 7th, Israel continues to defend its citizens, and the international community continues to overlook the ongoing threat posed by terrorist organizations such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Achieving lasting peace requires a decisive rejection of terrorism.
“The UN and its member states must prioritize efforts to secure the release of hostages and address the enduring danger that Hamas poses—not only to Israel but also to the Palestinian people. It is time the Security Council acknowledges the culprits of this situation and designate Hamas for what it is – a terrorist organization.”
What Israel and the U.S. Have to Say:
Danny Danon, Ambassador of Israel to the United Nations: "I thank the USA for vetoing the Security Council resolution that called for a ceasefire without conditioning it to the release of the hostages. We will continue the fight until all the hostages are released."
Robert Wood, Deputy Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations: "A durable end to the war must come with the release of the hostages. These two urgent goals are inextricably linked. This resolution abandoned that necessity, and for that reason, the United States could not support it."
Anti-Israel Bias Embedded in the Text:
The proposed resolution contained several fundamental flaws:
- It inadequately addresses the ongoing hostage crisis: Over 100 Israeli hostages, including women, elderly individuals, and children, remain in Hamas’s custody. A ceasefire must explicitly hinge on the unconditional release of the hostages. By failing to include this, the resolution risks rewarding Hamas's strategy and enhancing its leverage in negotiations.
- It neglects to explicitly condemn Hamas for the October 7th terrorist attack: By overlooking the ongoing threat posed by the terrorist organization Hamas, and not calling for Iran and its proxies to halt their malignant activities, the Security Council resolution overlooks Israel’s right to self-defense and essential security needs while failing to hold Iran accountable for supporting destabilizing proxies in the region.
- It fails to accurately reflect Israel's efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza: The proposed resolution suggests Israel is intentionally depriving Gaza of essential services, misrepresenting the situation on the ground and the reality that Israel has been working tirelessly to increase aid shipments and open new crossings like Kissufim.
More Bias and Misinformation:
UNRWA Blames Israel for Aid Convoy Looting in Gaza:
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) issued a statement condemning the theft of a 109-truck convoy carrying vital food aid to Gaza. While the disruption of the convoy is suspected to be the result of looting by Gaza-based gangs, UNRWA's statement placed blame on Israeli authorities, accusing them of neglecting their legal obligations under international law to ensure the population's basic needs are met and to facilitate the safe delivery of aid.
Second Committee Passes Two Anti-Israel Resolutions:
The UN General Assembly's Second Committee approved two resolutions last Wednesday. One calls for Israel to compensate Lebanon and neighboring countries for environmental damage resulting from an 2006 Israeli Air Force strike on oil storage tanks. Introduced by Uganda and China, the resolution passed with 161 votes in favor, six against, and nine abstentions.
The second resolution affirmed Palestinian sovereignty over natural resources in the Palestinian Territories and was approved with 159 votes in favor, seven against, and eleven abstentions. The resolution demands Israel provide restitution for the resulting damages.
UN Special Committee Accuses Israel of Genocide:
The United Nations Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories published a report last Thursday accusing Israel of employing tactics “consistent with the characteristics of genocide.” The report was presented at the 79th UN General Assembly session on Monday.
About the World Jewish Congress
Media contact
