Last Friday, the United Nations took a vote for a resolution that demanded a ceasefire between Palestine and Israel. The resolution was vetoed by the United States, with the final vote counting 13 for, 1 against. 

After Hamas’ October 7th attack on Israel, the ongoing conflict has left thousands dead, a majority of those deaths being women and children. The United Nations took a vote on a resolution presented by multiple Middle Eastern countries that outlined a humanitarian ceasefire. Of the 15 countries to vote, The United Kingdom abstained and The United States voted against. The resolution was voted for by some of America’s closest allies, such as France and Japan, and this may cause even more strain on their relationships. Russia’s U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky said that the US was issuing, “a death sentence to thousands, if not tens of thousands more civilians in Palestine and Israel, including women and children.” 

The UN ambassador for the US, stated that the resolution was imbalanced and failed to take into account Hamas’ brutal October 7th attacks, and said that this will not stop Hamas and only “plant the seeds for the next war.” Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador said to the council ahead of the vote, ​​“If you are against the destruction and displacement of the Palestinian people, you have to be in favor of an immediate cease-fire, when you refuse to call for a cease-fire, you are refusing to call for the only thing that can put an end to war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.”