On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, Russia and China used their veto power in the UN Security Council against a draft resolution drafted by America regarding the war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, while a competing draft drafted by Russia failed to obtain the minimum number of votes. .

The American draft resolution sought to address the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza by calling for short truces to allow the entry of aid. The UAE voted no, while 10 members voted in favor of the draft resolution, and Brazil and Mozambique abstained from voting.

The council then voted on a draft resolution drafted by Russia calling for a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds. Only Russia, China, the UAE, and Gabon voted in favor of the draft resolution, while nine members abstained from voting, and the United States and Britain voted against.

In order for the decision to be issued by the Council, it needs at least nine votes and no veto by the United States, France, Britain, Russia, or China.

For his part, the Chinese delegate to the Security Council said, "The American draft resolution does not mention that Palestine has been occupied for a long time."

He added: "We must take into account the security concerns of both sides, not just the Israeli side."

He also continued: “We oppose the American project’s failure to call on the parties to stop the indiscriminate and unequal use of force.”

Security Council attempts

This vote comes after two failed votes in the council last week. Only five members voted in favor of a Russian draft resolution on October 16, and then the United States vetoed a Brazilian draft resolution on October 18, which received 12 votes in favor.

On Saturday, the United States presented a draft proposal that initially shocked some diplomats, with its frankness in saying that Israel has the right to defend itself and demanding that Iran stop exporting weapons to armed groups.

The United States subsequently toned down the tone of the draft overall, eliminating direct references to Iran and Israel's right to self-defense.

But Russia said on Tuesday that it could not support the US action plan, and put forward its own proposal.