NEW YORK: China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Zhang Jun has expressed disappointment over the United States’ decision to veto a draft UN Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
According to Chinese state media Xinhua, Zhang Jun said the US veto “sends the wrong message and pushes the situation in Gaza into a more dangerous one”.
China’s envoy said that objecting to the Gaza ceasefire was equivalent to giving a license to kill and giving the green light to “continued killing”.
The US blocked a UN Security Council resolution seeking an immediate humanitarian pause in Gaza, even though it received support from 13 of the 15 members. Britain chose not to vote.
Also read: Trump says slain Russian opposition leader should not returned to Russia
Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzia, criticized the US for enabling Israeli actions and prioritizing geopolitical interests over peace in the region.
Meanwhile, the cease-fire resolution was opposed by US envoy Linda Greenfield, who expressed doubts about its impact and insisted that the prisoners be released before a cease-fire could be considered.
“Double Standards”
The Saudi Foreign Ministry also expressed its disappointment over the United States’ veto.
In the announcement, the State Department called on the UN Security Council to play its role in maintaining peace and security around the world. The ministry said the Security Council needed to establish international laws “without double standards”.
