US not vetoing UN Gaza ceasefire vote sends ‘a huge message’ to Israel - Dangor
The UN Security Council on Monday called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the first time the council called for one since the war began in October.
- Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)
- United States of America (USA)
- United Nations (UN)
This picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on 17 March 2024, amid ongoing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Picture: SAID KHATIB / AFP
JOHANNESBURG - Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Director-General Zane Dangor said tensions between the United States (US) and Israel have been exposed after Washington decided to abstain in a United Nations (UN) Security Council vote calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
It’s the first time the council called for a ceasefire since the war began in October after several failed attempts.
ALSO READ:
- Pandor welcomes UN resolution for immediate Gaza ceasefire for rest of Ramadan
- No let-up in Gaza war despite UN ceasefire resolution
Since the start of the conflict, the US used its veto power to block three UN Security Council resolutions calling for pauses in the fighting or a ceasefire.
Israel cancelled a meeting in Washington following Monday’s resolution.
Dangor said the move by the US, signalled a growing contrast between the President Joe Biden administration and its ally over Israel's offensive in Gaza.
“We’ve seen a change in tone from the US administration over the last three weeks in relation to Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu and the Israeli government. But the fact that the US government did not veto is an indication that they are giving a huge message to the Israelis that they are not happy with what they are doing in Gaza.”
The UN vote came as tensions grow over a looming Israeli military operation in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah.