Itamaraty said in a statement that they would continue to try to reach agreements to defuse the situation in the region
The State Department regretted this Wednesday (October 18, 2023) the US veto of a Brazilian resolution on the war between Israel and Hamas in the United Nations Security Council. In addition, the Brazilian government stated that the international community needed to conclude an “urgent” ceasefire and that it would continue to make agreements to alleviate the humanitarian situation in the region.
“The Brazilian government regrets that the use of the veto has once again prevented the main organization responsible for maintaining peace and international security from acting in the face of the catastrophic humanitarian crisis caused by the recent escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza.” “Brazil considers it urgent that the international community establishes a ceasefire and restarts the peace process,” he wrote in a statement published by Itamaraty.
The Security Council rejected the Brazilian resolution (full PDF 203 kB) this Wednesday (October 18, 2023). The proposal had 12 votes in favour, 1 against and two abstentions. The document was not approved because the only dissenting vote came from the United States, which is a permanent member of the body and has veto power.
“Brazil will continue to seek to reach agreements that alleviate the dramatic humanitarian situation we are experiencing and contribute to the realization of a twostate solution, with an economically viable Palestinian state living in peace and security with Israel in the consensual and international context Framework lives.” recognized borders,” explained the Brazilian government.
This is how the individual state members in the council voted:
- for this (12): Brazil, China, France, Albania, United Arab Emirates, Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland;
- against (1): US;
- Abstentions (2): United Kingdom and Russia.
To be adopted, a decision proposed in the Council requires at least 9 of the 15 votes of the body’s member states and no veto of the 5 with permanent seats.
In addition to the USA, China, Russia, France and the United Kingdom are permanent members of the UN body with veto power. The other countries, including Brazil, are part of the rotating council.
This was the fourth time the UN Security Council met to discuss the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Last week, Brazil convened two meetings of the body, both of which ended without concrete results. After the meeting on Friday (October 13), Brazilian Chancellor Mauro Vieira defended the formation of a humanitarian corridor in a statement to journalists at the UN headquarters in New York.
In the note, Itamaraty explains that the project condemns Hamas’s “terrorist” acts in Israel and calls for a “humanitarian pause” in the conflict, without mentioning the word ceasefire.
“The bill condemns Hamas’ acts of terrorism in Israel on October 7, 2023; calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilian hostages; calls for a humanitarian pause to allow rapid and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance; requires the continued supply of essential supplies such as medical supplies, water and food to the civilian population; and calls for the lifting of the order for United Nations civilians and personnel to evacuate the entire Gaza area north of Wadi Gaza.”
Read the full text (30 KB) of the Brazilian proposal to the UN Security Council (United Nations):
“The Security Council,
Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations;
Recalling its resolutions 242 (1967), 338 (1973), 446 (1979), 452 (1979), 465 (1980), 476 (1980), 478 (1980), 1397 (2002), 1515 (2003) and 1850 (2008) and 2334 (2016);
Affirming that all acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motives, whenever and by whomever they are committed;
Expressing serious concern about the escalation of violence and the deterioration of the situation in the region, in particular the resulting high number of civilian casualties, and emphasizing that civilians in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, in accordance with the provisions International humanitarian law must be protected;
We express deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and its serious impact on the civilian population, largely made up of children, and underline the need for full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access;
Encouraging efforts aimed at a cessation of hostilities and helping to ensure the protection of civilian populations in both Israel and Palestine;”
Reaffirms its vision of a region in which two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, live side by side in peace and within secure and recognized borders;
Noting that a lasting solution to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict can only be achieved through peaceful means and on the basis of its relevant resolutions.