US veto of Palestine statehood at UN sparks international condemnation

*As Russia, Turkiye Qatar, Saudi Arabia, others kick

The United States Thursday veto at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that blocked full membership of the State of Palestine has drawn strong criticism from various nations and stakeholders.

The office of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the US veto, describing it as “blatant aggression” that pushes the region further towards the edge of the abyss.

Palestinian Ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour expressed determination despite the setback, stating: “The fact that this resolution did not pass will not break our will, and it will not defeat our determination.”

Mansour also added: “Please remember that once this session adjourns, in Palestine, there are innocents paying the price with their lives … for the delay in justice, freedom and peace.”

Hamas accused the US of obstructing international will and siding with the occupation.

The resistance group called on the international community “to exert pressure to go beyond the American will and support the struggle of our Palestinian people and their legitimate right to self-determination.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the US for standing by Israel instead of Palestine, stating: “While everyone is on the side of Palestine, unfortunately, America puts forward their stance again by standing by the side of Israel.”

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia, accused the US of disregarding Palestinians’ right to their own state and turning a blind eye to Israel’s actions.

Nebenzia said that the aim of US policy is to break the Palestinians’ will and force them into submission.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia expressed regret over the failure to adopt the resolution, emphasizing their support for the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to establish an independent state.

The Qatari foreign ministry stated that the failure of this draft resolution to pass emphasizes that the council is unable to fulfil its obligations and role within the framework of maintaining peace and sovereignty.

GCC General Secretary Jasem Albudaiwi criticized the US veto, calling it a step backwards in achieving peace in the Middle East.

Albudaiwi reiterated the GCC’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state based on the 1967 borders.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation expressed deep regret “at a time when the Palestinian people are facing the harshest forms of aggression, persecution, and genocide.”

Syria also condemned the American veto, saying: “It is another stigma added to the US record of striking and undermining the foundations of collective international action, and its blind bias in favour of the Israeli occupation entity.”

“Preventing the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state on Palestinian territory will only prolong insecurity and instability in the Middle East, originally stemming from Israel’s continued occupation of Arab lands,” the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Egypt has earlier criticized the US veto, saying that “obstructing Palestine’s recognition contradicts the legal and historical responsibility placed on the international community for putting an end to the occupation and reaching a just solution to the Palestinian cause.”

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide expressed regret over the failure, calling the lack of agreement a missed opportunity to enhance international peace and security.

Indonesia said the veto betrayed the shared goal of lasting peace in the Middle East, while Iran said that Washington’s veto was “irresponsible” and “unconstructive.”

“Washington’s action exposed the fraudulent nature of US foreign policy and its isolated position,” foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani said.

The US veto had been expected ahead of the vote, taking place more than six months into Israel’s war on the besieged Palestinian territory.

Britain and Switzerland abstained.

Twelve countries voted in favour of the draft resolution recommending full Palestinian membership.