Internet slams US' move to veto UN resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war

WASHINGTON, DC: Several human rights organizations have expressed their disapproval of the US government for its refusal to support a recent UN Security Council resolution that demanded a ceasefire in Gaza. 

According to The Guardian, Human Rights Watch has accused the US of risking complicity in war crimes by continuing to provide Israel with weapons and diplomatic cover.

Despite appeals from Arab allies and the UN Secretary-General to support an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the US vetoed the resolution, which was supported by 13 out of 15 member countries, on Friday, December 8. 

The United Kingdom chose to abstain from voting for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Having said that, reports indicate that the Biden administration has requested US Congress to authorize the sale of 45,000 shells for Israel's Merkava tanks, which will be used in its ongoing military operation in the region.

Varied reactions flow in regarding the US vetoing the call for a ceasefire in Gaza

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, called the US move to oppose the resolution a "turning point in history."

Mansour stated in a sharply worded message to the Security Council following the vote that the results were "regrettable" and "disastrous," warning that prolonging the conflict in Gaza "implies the continued commission of atrocities, the loss of more innocent lives, more destruction."

On the other hand, Gilad Erdan, Israel's UN ambassador, thanked the United States and President Joe Biden for vetoing a draft Security Council resolution.

He complimented the US president on social media for "standing firmly by our side" and demonstrating "leadership and values."

"The US obstruction of the ceasefire resolution is a direct participation with the occupation in killing our people and committing more massacres and ethnic cleansing," stated Ezzat El-Reshiq, a member of the Hamas' political bureau. 

The UN Security Council vote came as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a dire warning that civil order in Gaza was crumbling.

With the UN stating that its assistance work was coming to a halt and that its personnel was being killed, Guterres elected to take the exceedingly rare step earlier this week of invoking article 99 of the UN charter, which allows him to bring a threat to global security to the attention of the Security Council.

According to the head of the primary UN agency in Gaza (UNRWA), it was "the darkest hour" in the organization's existence.

Philippe Lazzarini claimed the organization is "barely" operational in Gaza, and its staff members, at least 130 of whom have been killed, "take their children to work, so they know they are safe or can die together."

He noted, "We are hanging on by our fingertips."

Internet slams the US for vetoing the resolution calling for Gaza ceasefire 

Soon after the news of the US choosing to veto the UN resolution for the Gaza ceasefire came to light, netizens took to social media to show their disapproval of the move. 

One wrote, "Awful and pathetic," while another stated, "History will not look fondly on the USA."

A person remarked, "Shame on the US Shame on the UK," with someone else noting, "I’m so ashamed of my government! There are no words!"

"UK & US take actively part in this conflict," asserted a disgruntled user. 

One more slammed the UN, saying, "UN should be dissolved for failing to live up to their responsibilities." 

"Absolutely deplorable. There are no words for the level of anguish, betrayal, and bias. #PalestinianLivesMatter," expressed another person. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.