The United States justified its veto of a proposal urging an instant halt to hostilities in Gaza during a U.N. session. The U.S. deputy ambassador, Robert Wood, criticized the Russian-proposed amendment to a December 22 Security Council resolution, which the U.S. vetoed, deeming it “disconnected from the situation on the ground.” Subsequently, the council approved a diluted resolution, with the U.S. abstaining, urging immediate measures to facilitate increased humanitarian aid into Gaza “and to create conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.”

Wood highlighted the apparent imbalance in demands, noting that those advocating an end to the conflict have placed limited pressure on Hamas. He emphasized ongoing U.S. endeavors to negotiate a “pause” in the conflict to free 136 Israeli hostages trapped in Gaza since Hamas’ surprise invasion on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties.

The U.N. General Assembly convened due to a resolution adopted in April 2022, mandating any of the five permanent Security Council members to explain a veto to the 193-member world body. The U.S. received support solely from Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan, who asserted that a cease-fire would empower Hamas to perpetuate its reign of terror in Gaza, which it has governed since 2007.

Erdan accused Hamas of plundering humanitarian assistance and labeled the United Nations as an “accomplice to terrorists,” criticizing its focus on Gazans while overlooking Israeli victims. He lamented the U.N.’s silence on condemning Hamas and its inaction in bringing the hostages home. To illustrate the hostages’ plight, Erdan presented a cake for Kfir Bibas, a one-year-old in captivity, urging the General Assembly president to leave it as a “painful reminder,” but the cake was swiftly removed by a U.N. staff member.

Reflecting the growing schism among Jews over the war, 36 rabbis from Rabbis 4 Ceasefire protested Israel’s offensive at the U.N. as tourists. Holding signs in the empty Security Council chamber and calling for a ceasefire from the General Assembly balcony, they were promptly escorted out by U.N. security officers.

Wood, the U.S. envoy, lauded U.N. humanitarian efforts, emphasizing its indispensable role in delivering life-saving assistance to Gazans. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric refuted reports of looting, attributing videos to hungry individuals attempting to access food trucks. He reiterated the challenges of delivering aid to conflict zones.

The Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza reported over 23,000 casualties from Israel’s military campaign, with more than two-thirds being women and children. The count did not distinguish between civilians and combatants. Last Friday, the U.N. humanitarian chief deemed Gaza “uninhabitable” and warned of impending famine.

Riyad Mansour, the U.N. Palestinian ambassador, decried the slaughter of his people and emphasized the imperative need for a ceasefire. He pointed to global support, including 153 countries endorsing a General Assembly resolution, along with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, humanitarian organizations, and “moral voices.”

Cuba’s U.N. Ambassador Gerardo Peñalver Portal criticized the December 22 resolution, labeling it “deplorable” for lacking an immediate call for a cessation of hostilities. He stressed that a ceasefire is crucial to halt the alleged genocide against the Palestinian population.

{Matzav.com}