The US was the lone vote against a ceasefire resolution put forward yesterday by Algeria. The UK was the sole abstention, with 13 votes in support, including those of close allies of Washington who insisted the humanitarian needs of people in Gaza outweighed any reservations over the Algerian text.
Washington was widely lambasted for using its veto again at a time when nearly 30,000 Gazans have been killed and more than 2 million people are under threat of famine.
"A vote in favour of this draft resolution is a support for the Palestinians' right to life," the Algerian envoy to the UN, Amar Bendjama, told the council.
"Conversely, voting against it implies an endorsement of the brutal violence and collective punishment inflicted upon them." The Algerian resolution also called for the implementation of provisional measures ordered in January by the international court of justice in The Hague, which instructed Israel to mitigate its offensive to protect civilians, lift impediments on the flow of aid into Gaza and take action against Israeli politicians using genocidal language.
"Almost one month after the ICJ [ruling] signs of hope are still absent for improvement of the situation in Gaza," Bendjama said. "Silence is not a viable option. Now is the time for action and the time for truth."
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin February 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin February 21, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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