The UN Security Council rejected the Russian Humanitarian Resolution on Gaza on Oct. 16. (Another meeting will be held today; Brazil plans to provide another resolution, reports CGTN.)
The U.S., Britain, France, and Japan voted against, claiming that the resolution did not condemn Hamas. Six countries abstained; China, Gabon, Mozambique, U.A.E., and Russia voted in favor. With three vetoes (Japan has no such power, which is granted only to the five permanent members), and without securing a majority vote in any event, the resolution was rejected.
UN Russian Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia commented, in his statement after the vote, which is posted to the Russian mission’s website: “This vote of Security Council members is very telling. It clearly showed who really stands for an immediate ceasefire, putting an end to indiscriminate bombings of Gaza, and ensuring unconditional humanitarian assistance for the residents of this enclave, and who persists in preventing this Council from sending a strong message for egoistic political purposes. This vote and related explanations must lift whatever illusions.”
Nebenzia opened his statement, saying: “We regret that the Security Council once again was taken hostage by the egoistic ambitions of the Western bloc. This is the only reason why the Council was not able to send a clear, strong collective signal aimed at a de-escalation. Even though what we are talking about is the largest outbreak of violence in the Middle East over a few decades.”
On Oct. 13, in presenting the draft resolution calling for immediate ceasefire, Nebenzia had stated: “We unequivocally condemn the acts of extreme brutality, killings and the horrifying scale of violence. Any killings and violence against peaceful civilians, both Israeli and Palestinian citizens, is inadmissible….”
