As of my last update in January 2022, Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries and international bodies, including the United States, the European Union, Israel, and others.
Algeria, being the only Arab member of the United Nations Security Council, stood in opposition to the proposal alongside China and Russia. Their decision was driven by concerns that the resolution had the potential to prolong the cycle of violence and bloodshed in the region.
Despite receiving support from 11 members, the resolution was blocked by the veto. Consequently, the council anticipates convening another emergency session to deliberate on a revised draft that can garner approval from both Russia and China.
Ambassador Zhang Jun of China reiterated the pressing need for the United Nations Security Council to prioritize calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Meanwhile, Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia of Russia, before the vote, criticized the United States for making repeated promises without delivering an agreement to halt the ongoing conflict.
Ambassador Zhang Jun further expressed his concern by stating that the United States has failed to take any meaningful action to restrain Israel. He criticized Washington’s stance, deriding its call for a ceasefire while Gaza, in his words, “has been virtually wiped off the face of the Earth,” as reported by AFP.
We are witnessing a typical hypocritical spectacle,” remarked the ambassador. He asserted that the resolution if passed, would only serve to perpetuate Israel’s impunity, as the draft fails to properly assess the crimes committed by the nation.
Numerous states have voiced their endorsement for a proposal put forth by the coalition of 10 non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, urging for an immediate ceasefire. Both the Russian and Chinese ambassadors have thrown their support behind the resolution circulated by these ten non-permanent UNSC members. However, the US ambassador issued a caution, indicating that his country would exercise its veto power over the text as it deviated from the negotiations in Doha. These negotiations had linked any potential ceasefire agreement to the release of prisoners.
Addressing the press in Brussels following the vote, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France would embark on a collaborative effort with Jordan and the UAE. Their aim is to rally support from Russia and China for a resolution calling for a ceasefire.