United Nations, New York. The Biden administration confronts a pivotal moment at the UN Security Council within the next 48 hours as it considers using its veto power to reject calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, aiming to protect Israel. The United Arab Emirates, representing Arab countries on the 15-member Security Council, plans to table a resolution on Friday following UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s call for a ceasefire.
Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, notifying the Security Council that the Gaza crisis poses a threat to world peace, a move that angered Israel. The US Deputy Envoy, Robert Wood, stated that the Biden administration does not support bringing the Gaza issue to the UN Security Council at this point. The US emphasizes diplomatic efforts focused on hostage release, aid flow into Gaza, and better civilian protection.
The potential US veto, while carrying a high diplomatic cost, is driven by concerns that a ceasefire might strengthen Hamas in Gaza. This stance may clash with EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell’s support for Guterres’s call. The heads of various UN agencies and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also backed Guterres.
In a UN headquarters show of solidarity, Arab state ambassadors stood alongside the Palestinian ambassador, urging an immediate ceasefire. A larger show of solidarity from the 57 OIC ambassadors is expected on Thursday.
Arab ambassadors met with ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, urging a Gaza visit and emphasizing the fate of children in an expedited investigation. Khan warned that hindering relief supplies to civilians might constitute a war crime.
The Arab League seeks more border crossings and UN control of aid checks, with Israel permitting some fuel trucks into Gaza. The draft resolution pressures the US to influence Netanyahu’s government actions. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed Israel’s capability to operate without high civilian casualties and called for increased aid. UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron is due to meet Blinken on Thursday afternoon.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
