1 of 2 UN logo in front of the headquarters in New York — Photo: Carlo Allegri/Portal UN logo in front of the headquarters in New York — Photo: Carlo Allegri/Portal
The United Nations Security Council's vote on an attempt to increase aid to the Gaza Strip will be voted on by member countries this Friday (22).
The United States, one of the council's founding members and an ally of Israel, received approval from other countries for the changes it sought and, for the first time, supported a proposed resolution calling for a ceasefire.
The proposal drawn up by the United Arab Emirates went through two weeks of negotiations until the text was adopted on Thursday.
“This is a resolution we can support,” said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda ThomasGreenfield.
Since the conflict began on October 7, the United States has twice vetoed resolutions against Israel.
The current version of the text calls for “urgent measures to immediately enable safe and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance and also to create the conditions for a sustainable ceasefire.” but does not call for an immediate end to the fighting.
How does voting work?
2 of 2 US veto of Brazil's text at the UN Photo: Mike Segar/Portal US veto of Brazil's text at the UN Photo: Mike Segar/Portal
The group consists of five countries with permanent seats the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Russia and France which have the right to veto resolutions when voting, as well as 10 other countries with rotating seats.
To adopt the solutions adopted in the Council, 9 yes votes are required. However, countries with permanent seats can veto the adopted proposal even if they are the only ones rejecting it. These members can also abstain from voting, i.e. practically allow the resolution to pass.