1:17 a.m. ET, December 9, 2023
Human Rights Watch says the US is giving Israel “diplomatic cover” for atrocities in Gaza by vetoing a UN resolution
By Richard Roth and CNN's Hande Atay Alam Palestinians carry a dead girl found under the rubble of a destroyed building in Khan Younis refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip on December 7 after Israeli airstrikes. Mohammed Dahman/AP Human Rights Watch condemned the United States' decision to veto the Gaza ceasefire resolution at the United Nations Security Council on Friday.
“By continuing to provide Israel with weapons and diplomatic protection while it commits atrocities, including the collective punishment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, the US risks engaging in war crimes,” UN Director at HRW Louis Charbonneau said in a statement after the veto.
“Once again, the United States used its veto to prevent the Security Council from making some of the demands that the United States itself has demanded of Israel and the Palestinian armed groups, including compliance with international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and the release of all civilians held hostage,” the statement added.
Further reaction: Abby Maxman, Oxfam America's The president and CEO also criticized the decision, saying Friday that the veto “puts another nail in the coffin of U.S. credibility on human rights issues.”
“Today, the Biden administration had another opportunity to live up to its lofty rhetoric in support of human rights and a rules-based international order. The world is ready for the end to the terrible carnage in Gaza and is focused on releasing hostages and helping Palestinians rebuild their lives,” Maxman said in a statement.
Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International'The United Nations secretary-general said that by vetoing the resolution, the U.S. had shown a callous disregard for civilian suffering “given the staggering death toll, widespread destruction and unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza.
Callamard also criticized the US for supplying weapons to Israel. She said it was contributing to destruction in the enclave.
“The United States has brazenly used its veto and weaponized it to strengthen the UN Security Council, further undermining its credibility and ability to fulfill its mandate to maintain international peace and security,” Callamard said in a statement.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, also condemned the US veto.
“By vetoing this resolution, the United States stands alone and votes against humanity,” Doctors Without Borders said in its statement. “We are devastated by the failure of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza,” it said.
CNN's Kareem El Damanhoury contributed to this report.
This post has been updated with comments from Amnesty International and Doctors Without Borders.