US envoy at the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield defends using veto against Palestine, ceasefire

New York -- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, defended her country’s repeated use of the veto in the U.N. Security Council since the start of the Gaza war on 7th October 2023 in favour of Israel, saying that the U.S. uses its veto power to advance American government interests.

The U.S. has vetoed five resolutions, including three calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, one Russian oral amendment, and a proposal for full Palestinian membership in the U.N.

In remarks to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, The New Arab's sister publication, Thomas-Greenfield said on Tuesday that the U.S. uses its veto power "to promote the interests of the U.S. Government".

"That’s how we have used that veto consistently over many years in the Council...people think it leads to dysfunction but for us, it is power that we have, and we do use that power. I’m not going to make any excuses for it. It is something that is within the toolbox of things that we can bring to the table in the Security Council", she added. 

The U.S. ambassador held the press conference to outline the country's priorities during next week’s high-level meetings at the General Assembly, where world leaders will convene. While defending U.S. veto use, Thomas-Greenfield also sharply criticized Russia for using its veto on resolutions concerning the war in Ukraine.

When asked by an Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reporter whether it was time for the U.S. to stop military support for Israel and end the bloodshed in Gaza, she responded: "On the issues related to the Middle East, we want to see peace, and that’s what President Biden has worked for. But at the same time, we have been clear that we support Israel’s right to self-defence...as an ally, we have provided support to them to defend themselves".

She added: "That does not mean we in any way want to see this war continue. We want to see this war end. And I know that President Biden has put every ounce of effort that he has in his power to try to find a solution, to get us to a ceasefire, and move us to where we all know we need to move, and that is to a two-state solution".

Thomas-Greenfield began her briefing by discussing the need to "silence the guns" in conflicts worldwide. Responding to a question about the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on Palestine and the Israeli occupation, she stated, "We respect the ICJ. We have worked to support the ICJ, and we have – while we disagree with some of the decisions that have been made, we continue to work with the ICJ". 

Meanwhile, the U.N. General Assembly began deliberations today, with a session continuing until Wednesday, to vote on a resolution regarding the ICJ's advisory opinion issued in July, which addressed the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967. The resolution seeks to implement practical steps based on the ICJ’s advisory opinion, including "ending the occupation within twelve months."

The ICJ declared on 19th July that Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territories is "illegal," adding that Israel must end the occupation as soon as possible, provide compensation to affected individuals, and return the land it occupied in 1967. The court also called for the dismantling of the separation wall built on Palestinian land, the cessation of new settlement activities, and the non-recognition of Israel's illegal presence in the occupied territories.

When asked about the U.S. position on the draft resolution up for a vote on Wednesday, Thomas-Greenfield said, "As it relates to the resolution that’s being proposed by the Palestinians, I think it has a significant number of flaws, particularly as it interprets what the ICJ has said. It goes much further than the actual decision of the ICJ".

"It is also our view that the resolution, among many defects that it has, it doesn’t recognize that Hamas is a terrorist organization, that Hamas actually controls Gaza – it is not the Palestinian Authority – and that it’s exerting a significant amount of power and influence in Gaza, and it doesn’t recognize that Israel has a right to defend itself against what Hamas is doing. So in our view, the resolution does not bring about tangible benefits across the board for the Palestinian people. I think it could complicate the situation on the ground, complicate what we’re trying to do to end the conflict, and I think it impedes reinvigorating steps toward a two-state solution", she said.