[Blog] SHAME on AMERICA!

The USA VETO of a resolution of the Secretary-General for an immediate ceasefire in GAZA was VOTED on by 13 out of 15 Security Council members on 8th December 2023 in New York.  The UK abstained, but the USA IMPOSED ITS VETO, thereby defeating the resolution. The resolution was essential to stop the murder and starvation of people in Gaza. To which we add a very strong Resolution to free ALL Israeli hostages, NOW, as well as liberate all Palestinians in Israeli jails without trial.

The USA advised Israel to continue the war, but ‘reduce the number of people killed’. Women and children and civilians. So far, since October 7, in these 4 weeks of the war, 17,400 Palestinians and about 1,100 people in Israel have been killed (YES over EIGHTEEN THOUSAND, mostly PALESTINIANS have been killed!)

The USA and its President Joe Biden have now become responsible for all new deaths in Palestine. The USA, which vetoed this ceasefire resolution, is the one providing money and arms to Israel. For his encouragement of the actions of a war criminal, Biden deserves our condemnation.  Agnes Callamard Secretary-General of Amnesty International said that the US veto “displays a callous disregard for civilian suffering in the face of a staggering death toll”. Also, Washington “has brazenly wielded and weaponized its veto to strong-arm the UN Security Council, further undermining its credibility and ability to live up to its mandate to maintain international peace and security”.

Now for a peaceful solution to this 75-year-old conflict: Biden having spoken in favour of the 2-state solution, must now exert pressure for discussing and agreeing on the new frontiers and create an independent Palestine.

Dr Michael ATCHIA
(Former United Nations Programme Director)
(For Democracy Watch Mauritius)