Russia, China Veto US Push On Israel

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

NEW YORK/JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – East-West diplomatic frictions rose Friday after Russia and China vetoed a U.S. push for the United Nations Security Council to act on the Israel-Hamas war.

The U.S.-backed resolution called for “humanitarian pauses” in fighting to allow aid access, the protection of civilians, and a stop to arming Hamas and other militants in Gaza.

It was a rare move by the United States to suggest Security Council action as Washington usually shielded its ally Israel from the world body.

Yet, in tensions resembling Cold War debates and more recent discord over Ukraine, Moscow and Washington accused each other of pushing their positions on other council members without consultation.

The principal difference was Washington’s call for “all measures, specifically to include humanitarian pauses,” in fighting to allow aid to enter Gaza, a position it rejected last week, versus Moscow’s call for a complete cease-fire.

Besides Russia and China, the United Arab Emirates voted against the U.S. resolution despite mounting concerns about the rapidly escalating armed conflict.

SETBACK FOR AMBASSADOR

It was a political setback for Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., who said American diplomats “worked exhaustively” to achieve a balanced text in a resolution that would attract broad support.

An initial U.S. text reportedly shocked Russian, Chinese, and other diplomats with its bluntness in stating that Israel has a right to defend itself and demanding Iran stop exporting arms to militant groups.

It did not include a call for humanitarian pauses for aid access, which was later put forward in the resolution proposed this week.

“We did listen to all of you,” U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the 15-member council after the double veto, which she described as disappointing. “Though today’s vote was a setback, we must not be deterred.”

However, Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said the U.S. measure wouldn’t mandate a cease-fire or shape Israel’s expected ground operations in Gaza.

Washington has been reluctant to demand a complete end to Israel’s declared war against Hamas as the group’s gunmen killed 1,400 people in Israel, ranging from Holocaust survivors to babies and toddlers. Additionally, more than 200 people were kidnapped by Hamas gunmen.

Latest Worthy News