By Jillian Kestler-D’Amours and Kevin Doyle

Published On 9 Dec 2023

• Palestinian officials slam US veto of UN Security Council resolution urging an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza as “disastrous” and “a disgrace”.
• Israeli bombardment of besieged enclave continues, with dozens reported dead in attacks on Khan Younis in the south.

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• 4m ago (02:25 GMT)How the US has used its veto power at the UN in support of IsraelFriday’s vote brings the number of times that the US has used its veto power at the UN Security Council in support of Israel to at least 35.It also was the second US veto since the Israeli war on Gaza began, after the country blocked an October 18 resolution that would have condemned Hamas’ attack on Israel while calling for a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave.Here are other key UN resolutions that were blocked by the US over the years:
  • After the Great March of Return in 2018, the UNSC drafted a resolution condemning “the use of any excessive, disproportionate and indiscriminate force by the Israeli forces against Palestinian civilians” and calling for “lasting, comprehensive peace” with “two democratic States, Israel and Palestine”. The US vetoed the resolution.
  • After the US recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2017, a draft resolution said “actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void”. It demanded the status of Jerusalem to be determined in line with UN regulations. All of the 15 UNSC members voted in favour except the US, which vetoed it.
  • Following the second Intifada or uprising that started in 2000, a UNSC resolution expressed “grave concern at the continuation of the tragic and violent events that have taken place since September 2000”, condemned attacks against civilians and called for Israel “to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations and responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva Convention”. Twelve countries voted in favour, but the US vetoed.
  UN chief Antonio Guterres attends a Security Council meeting in New York, December 8, 2023 [File: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters]

source and more https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/12/9/israel-hamas-war-live-us-veto-of-un-ceasefire-effort-draws-condemnation