The United States on Friday voted against a UN Security Council resolution that demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
The resolution, drafted by the United Arab Emirates and backed by more than 100 countries, gained support from 13 of the 15 Security Council members, with Britain abstaining.
The text of the resolution called for an immediate halt of fighting between Hamas and Israel and the protection of both Israeli and Palestinian civilians under international humanitarian law. It also demanded the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages”.
After the vote, China's permanent representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun expressed great disappointment and regret about the result.
Noting the two months of war has caused unprecedented deaths and destruction, Zhang said an immediate ceasefire is the overriding priority.
On this matter, any negative attitude is untenable, and any excuse, no matter how many, is feeble and futile, he stressed.
“I'd like to point out that while letting the war last, it's self-contradictory to claim you care about Gazans' life, safety and humanitarian needs, it's self-deceptive to advocate the prevention of conflict spillover, and it's extremely hypocritical to keep talking about the protection of women, children and human rights. All these once again show us what double standards are,” Zhang said.
Although the resolution has been vetoed, the international community's strong call for a ceasefire, the protection of civilians and the avoidance of greater humanitarian disasters will not weaken, and the Security Council will not stop safeguarding justice and fulfilling its responsibility, Zhang said.
China urges Israel to heed the call of the international community and stop the collective punishment of people in Gaza, said Zhang.
China supports further diplomatic mediation for the early release of all the hostages, said the Chinese envoy.
He called on all relevant parties to pool efforts for the common goal of putting an end to the war in Gaza to bring hope of survival to Palestinians and bring hope of peace to the Middle East.
(Inputs from Reuters)
