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SvennoJ on 25 March 2024
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UN Security Council vote (again) today

The UN Security Council is scheduled to vote at 14:00 GMT on a draft resolution put forward by the body’s 10 elected members that will reportedly demand an “immediate” truce in Gaza.

Here is what to know about the resolution:

  • The vote is due to take place after permanent members Russia and China on Friday vetoed a US draft resolution for not urging an unconditional, immediate ceasefire.
  • According to diplomats talking to the AFP news agency, the new text to be voted on has been worked on with the US to avoid a veto.
  • It “demands an immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, “leading to a permanent sustainable ceasefire”.
  • Several Gaza resolutions have been vetoed at the council in previous months due to disagreements between the five permanent members.
  • Israel’s biggest ally, the US, has vetoed four ceasefire draft resolutions.

Atmosphere of optimism ahead of UNSC vote

The resolution coming from the non-permanent members of the Security Council is clear and shorter compared to the US draft resolution that was vetoed by Russia and China last week.

What is also interesting is that all of the elected members are sponsoring it. When it first emerged at the end of last week, two of these members – close US allies Japan and South Korea – did not have their name to it. They have now put their name to it. They are, I think, smelling that this could be the resolution that has success.

Also, the US didn’t want to negotiate on this resolution when it had its own resolution in play. Over the weekend, I am told, the US has started negotiating and managed to change bits of this resolution and added things to it – suggesting that if the US is negotiating, the US may well be favourable to this resolution.

The word I am getting from Al Jazeera’s teams in the UN right now and people I’m speaking to is there is an atmosphere of optimism. They feel it is quite likely that for the first time the Security Council might speak with one voice.


Last-minute negotiations at UNSC

Diplomatic sources have told Al Jazeera that due to last-minute negotiations the convening of the UN Security Council will be delayed for at least 20 minutes.

“It just gives you an idea of how there are these potential changes and negotiations taking place behind closed door at this very moment,” Al Jazeera’s Gabriel Elisondo, reporting from the UN headquarters, said.

Sources said that the US has asked for the text to not include a reference to a “permanent” ceasefire but a “lasting” one.

US still trying to slip in continuing the war, no doubt under pressure from Israel. But it does seem US finally wants to support this much more direct resolution.


Is that a threat? Israel send a delegation to ask for more bombs, cancel it all you want!

Netanyahu threatens to nix DC delegation if US doesn’t veto resolution

Israeli media is reporting that the prime minister said if the US doesn’t veto the UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, he will be canceling White House meetings by a visiting delegation that includes Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi.



Ambassador to Mozambique introduces draft resolution

Mozambique’s ambassador to the UN, Pedro Comissario Afonso, introduces the draft resolution demanding a ceasefire.

“We express our deep appreciation for all members of this council for their efforts and inputs on this draft resolution and at ending the catastrophic situation in the Gaza Strip,” he said.

“The situation in Gaza is a matter of grave concern to the entire international community; indeed, the escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip and its catastrophic consequences are a clear threat to international peace and security”.

“In this context, the E10 (elected 10 countries to the UNSC) felt compelled to table this draft resolution before you”.

Return word ‘permanent’ to resolution: Russia’s ambassador to the UN

Vasily Nebenzya says that the word cannot be replaced; otherwise Israel will go back to resuming its onslaught in Gaza.




Finally!!!!!

Draft resolution passed

Fourteen countries backed the draft resolution put forward by the non-permanent members of the country.

The US abstained.

 

Last edited by SvennoJ - on 25 March 2024