摘要：Acting U.S. Representative to the United Nations Dorothy Shea (C, Front) votes against a UN Security Council draft resolution at t

Acting U.S. Representative to the United Nations Dorothy Shea (C, Front) votes against a UN Security Council draft resolution at the UN headquarters in New York, June 4, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

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The U.S. on Wednesday cast the lone vote against a UN Security Council resolution calling for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza.

While the 14 remaining Security Council members voted in favor, the veto – after Washington blocked a UN draft resolution multiple times on the immediate lifting of all restrictions on humanitarian aid – underscores how the U.S.-Israel alliance impedes the international body's capacity to act decisively to halt the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.

"The United States has been clear… We would not support any measure that fails to condemn Hamas and does not call for Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza," said acting U.S. Representative Dorothy Shea, describing the draft resolution as "unacceptable" ahead of the vote.

This stance reflects Washington's unwavering political and military "support" for Israel – its closest ally in the Middle East and the largest recipient of U.S. military aid. The veto illustrates how the U.S. prioritizes its strategic objectives over the urgent need to stop the bloodshed and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

Over the past 600-plus days, more than 54,000 civilians in Gaza have lost their lives, with a vast number of people facing famine, lack of medical supplies and continuous bombardment. The ongoing military operations and a crippling blockade have made the situation even worse, dragging Gaza into an abyss of misery.

Worse still, the UN Security Council, despite international concern about the catastrophic humanitarian situation, remains paralyzed because Washington's repeated vetoes prevent any unified international action to enforce a ceasefire or ensure aid delivery.

"The United States has once again abused its veto power, extinguishing the glimmer of hope for the people in Gaza and ruthlessly continuing to leave over 2 million people in darkness. It must face the questioning from the international community," said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

Representatives vote on a draft resolution during a UN Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, June 4, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

By insisting on Hamas's disarmament as a precondition, the U.S. is prioritizing geopolitical calculations over lives. This impasse is not accidental but rooted in the deep political and strategic alignment between Washington and Tel Aviv.

Viewing Israel as its agent in the Middle East, the U.S. government is not happy to see its geopolitical interests challenged and thus has been working to ensure aspirations of its agents, and of its own, remain intact – at the sacrifice of the well-being of local innocent civilians.

The overwhelming support for the ceasefire resolution by 14 of the 15 Security Council members signals broad international consensus on the urgent need to end hostilities. The U.S. isolation in this vote highlights growing frustration with its obstructionism and perceived bias. This risks weakening the UN's role as a platform for peaceful conflict resolution.

The harm caused by the U.S.-Israel collision in the Security Council extends beyond Gaza. It undermines the international rules-based order and the UN's ability to act as a mediator in conflicts worldwide. By prioritizing narrow bilateral interests over collective security and humanitarian imperatives, the U.S. contributes to the erosion of multilateralism. This erosion ultimately harms global peace and stability, as it encourages unilateral actions and perpetuates cycles of violence.

Washington's insistence on linking a ceasefire to Hamas's disarmament disregards the urgent humanitarian needs and the global consensus for peace. This obstruction not only prolongs the suffering of millions in Gaza but also damages the credibility of the UN and the international system. Washington's repeated obstructions have turned out to be a decisive factor in the UN's incapacity to end the conflict.

If it is sincere in restoring peace as it claims, the U.S. government should at least set aside geopolitical calculations and recognize its responsibilities as a permanent member of the Security Council. Stopping the block on UN draft resolutions that call for an unconditional ceasefire in Gaza is perhaps the first step.

来源：中国网一点号